Hamilton has secured $3.29 million of government funding toward a major broadband initiative in the city. The money will be used to improve and extend the council-owned fibre optic network currently used for inner-city security cameras. The funding is from the Economic Development Ministry as part of the Government's digital strategy. Hamilton is one of five centres sharing $16.3 million for urban fibre network projects. Hamilton's will be a collaborative project led by the city council with support from Wintec, Environment Waikato, Waikato University, Waikato DHB and private partner Lite Up Ltd. Lite Up will operate and manage the network. The city council's corporate group general manager Mike Garrett said there were a number of conditions attached to the funding but they had already been identified and included in the business plan. "This is great news for Hamilton and it means we can be at the forefront of community-led broadband accessibility," Mr Garrett said. Communications Minister David Cunliffe said the project aimed to develop broadband access for poorly served communities. The other successful urban applicants were: * North Shore City ($4.64m). * Smartlinx3; Hutt City, Upper Hutt and Porirua ($2.37m). * Nelson Marlborough Inforegion ($1.789m). * Canterbury Development Corporation ($4.22m).
Waikato Times