“We placed 13th in last year’s Fast50 index and to back that up with another solid year of growth and climb to 9th is an achievement and recognition we are all very proud of.”

UFF’s fully-completed ultra-fast broadband (UFB) network provides superior broadband internet access to more than 195,000 end user customers across eight cities and towns in the Central North Island.

“Our vision is to connect and empower as many New Zealanders as possible with all the benefits that UFB brings”, says Mr Hamilton. “We are already seeing that high-speed internet is enhancing and, in many ways, revolutionising the way Kiwis communicate, work, play, learn and are entertained online.”

In 2015, and again this year, UFF won the regional Fast50 awards for Fastest Growing Technology Company and they attribute this success to the relationships they’ve built with their customers and in their determination to focus on innovation.

Mr Hamilton adds, “We accept this award on behalf of a vast group, without whose support such success could not be achieved: our pioneering shareholders, WEL Networks and Waipa Networks, our fantastic 125-strong team our 48 retail service providers, our supply side partners, local Mayors, Councillors and staff, and our 63,000 connected residential and business customers”.

“In such a dynamic and competitive market, we must continually innovate to deliver the best customer experience and service. This is especially important now that demand and expectations are high with the universal acceptance that customers should connect to unquestionably superior fibre broadband wherever it is available”.