WESTS GROUP has signed on as the maiden subscriber to Lake Macquarie council's super-fast internet initiative Fibre City.
The hospitality and fitness group will use the direct-to-premises optic fibre network to accelerate its online business and offer high-speed free wi-fi for members and guests.
Group CEO Phil Gardner said the ability to access speeds 20 times faster than normal broadband was too appealing to knock back.
"Fibre City technology will allow us to communicate with anyone in the world quickly and in real time," he said.
"It will empower people in Lake Macquarie and the region and show that you can stay here to do business - you don't need to go overseas or anywhere else anymore."
Unveiled in May, the Fibre City initiative is a partnership between the council and telecommunications giant TPG which uses underground fibre-optic cable laid in Charlestown and parts of the North West Catalyst Area, including Cardiff and Boolaroo.
Lake Macquarie mayor Cr Kay Fraser said the network would be expanded to other areas to promote innovation and technology.
"COVID-19 has really highlighted the increasingly vital role the internet plays in doing business," Cr Fraser said.
"For far too long, we've lost young people to cities like Sydney. We don't need that brain drain leaving our city, so it's really important we have this kind of innovation and technology for the future."
TPG sales manager Chris Pilgrim said Fibre City would create new opportunities for residents and businesses.
"We are excited to be involved in this great initiative and help Lake Macquarie usher in a new era of connectivity," he said.
"TPG has proven successful in delivering high-speed fibre solutions and we are confident that through the Fibre City partnership we will bridge the gap between regional areas and major cities."
Mr Gardner said Fibre City had allowed Wests to launch a new member app designed to streamline communication and feedback.
"It's going to allow us to support great digital strategies going forward," he said.
"There's going to be a lot more interaction between guests, members and staff with the new app, so to have a reliable, fast connection is highly important to keep it up and running."
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