Hamilton’s completion marks the conclusion of a five-year network build for Ultrafast Fibre, covering eight urban centres across the central North Island.

The Local Fibre Company began construction of its 3,000km UFB network in 2011, which now passes a total of more than 183,000 businesses, homes and schools, representing about 13 per cent of the national UFB network.

“We are very proud to have completed building the fibre network here in Hamilton, which is where we originally started,” says Ultrafast Fibre Chief Executive William Hamilton.

“With nearly 63,000 end user premises across Hamilton now able to connect and with demand for UFB continuing to grow, we look forward to seeing the truly innovative things that the city achieves with access to this new technology.”

Ultrafast Fibre has now completed network builds in Hamilton, Tauranga, New Plymouth, Te Awamutu, Cambridge, Tokoroa, Whanganui and Hāwera.

The company is holding a three-day ‘Beyond Broadband’ Expo to celebrate the completion of the network and showcase the benefits of connecting to UFB. The event includes a range of free workshops for the public, and is being run in conjunction with the Waikato Show from 8 to 10 April at Claudelands Events Centre.

“The ‘Beyond Broadband’ Expo will allow locals to discover first-hand how UFB can transform their online experience, and how they can get connected through their retail service provider,” says Mr Hamilton.

Mayor Julie Hardaker says it is great news for Hamilton that the UFB build is complete.

“UFB technology provides many opportunities for business and the community and access to UFB is a significant step forward for Hamilton and its economy.

“I encourage everyone to make the most of this new network and what it enables.”