Another step towards the setting up of the Ultra Fast Broadband and Rural Broadband Initiative networks has been taken, with the government approving all of its partners’ open access deed of undertaking submissions.

The approval comes almost a month after ICT Minister Steven Joyce declined to approve the draft deed submitted by Telecom on behalf of Chorus, relating to the company’s old copper network.

A revised version of this has now also been approved.

All of the government’s broadband partners have been required to submit deeds, including Vodafone New Zealand, Enable Networks, Ultra-fast Broadband Limited, and the Whangarei Local Fibre Company.

Joyce says he is satisfied all of the deeds meet the requirements of the amended Telecommunications Act 2001.

"These deeds will encourage a competitive marketplace for faster broadband services,” Joyce says.