FAQ's

What does "open access" mean?

Open access means that anyone can connect to the network to purchase services or deliver services. Telco networks often oblige you to buy their other services when buying network access. On our network, you are free to purchase services from a range of service providers who are also on the network.

For further reading, check this article on Wikipedia.

Who owns the Hamilton fibre network?

The network is jointly owned by Hamilton City Council, Wintec, Velocity and other public entities. Ownership is structured such that the network cannot be sold to private interests, such as a telco.

What protocols can the network carry?

The primary service is Layer 2 Ethernet. We do not route your traffic or otherwise manipulate it above Layer 2. Any protocols that you can pass over your office LAN or the internet can likely be carried over the fibre network. Protocols such as STM-1 or SDH cannot be carried over the Ethernet service, but can be provided for via our dark fibre service.

What does Layer 2 mean?

Check out this link on Wikipedia.

How is the service presented?

Our Ethernet service is presented as an RJ45 wall jack installed into your premises. Point to point dark fibre is usually presented as SC connectors, but we can also present ST or LC.

What speeds are available?

• 10 Mbps
• 100 Mbps
• 1 Gbps
• 10 Gbps

Can I choose my own ISP?

You can choose to connect to the internet through any ISP that is also connected to the fibre network. Click this link to see which service providers are available on the network.

I've got a clever idea for a service that I would like to sell to other businesses in Hamilton across your network. Do I have to be a big ISP to deliver it over your fibre network?

Anyone can deliver service over the network. The network is operated on "open access" principles. This means there are no restrictions imposed as to who can connect or what type of services they deliver over the network. Services could include : internet access, thin client applications (eg terminal server), VoIP, video, security camera monitoring, off site data back up/warehousing. The possibilities are endless. If you are interested in delivering services through the network, we'd like to hear more. Please contact us to arrange a meeting.

I just need a connection between my two offices, do I have to sign up with an ISP?

Many of our current customers use the network for exactly this purpose, LAN speed access between offices within Hamilton. You can purchase this type of service directly from Velocity Networks. There is no need for an ISP to be involved, unless you choose to buy internet access as well.

Is the network secure?

We can provision a private VLAN for you across the network which will provide a high level of security. You may of course implement your own encrypted VPN to provide a more secure connection. You should contact us or your preferred IT vendor for more information.

What happens if the fibre is cut?

To reduce the likelihood of this occurring, we are proactively educating contractors working in the city about the presence of our network. We also provide free maps and call out services to help contractors avoid causing damage to the network . We constantly monitor the status of the network so that we become aware of problems usually within 30 seconds of a fault occurring. Our relationship with several key contractors in Hamilton ensures that in the event of a fibre break it can be repaired rapidly regardless of the time of day of the damage.

Do you have a Service Level Agreement?

Yes. Our standard SLA is available on request. Please use our contact form. A custom SLA can be developed for customers with specific requirements.

I use a wireless link for my cross town connectivity now. Why should I change?

While wireless is perceived to have minimal ongoing costs, there are hidden costs. Unless you have invested heavily in a licensed wireless link, your wireless connection will be operating in unlicensed radio spectrum. That means the radio spectrum you are using for your business critical data is also being used by other wireless links, cordless phones, microwave ovens (2.4ghz only), Bluetooth devices (2.4ghz only), in home WiFi, the list goes on. If your connection fails due to radio interference, do you have the skills to solve this problem in an acceptable timeframe ? Do you carry spares locally in the case of equipment failure?