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More than 100 Hawke's Bay businesses have signed up for free fibre connections from UnisonFibre but time is running out before the offer expires.

For some buildings, the connections have been valued at thousands of dollars, yet Unison is giving them away as it seeks to gain a strong uptake for its fibre network.

Sales and marketing manager Wayne Baird said a diverse range of businesses were enjoying fast and reliable internet connection thanks to fibre.

"The breadth of business and industries already availing of fibre showcases that benefits are limitless and not restricted to the type of business you operate.

"The opportunities fibre offers speak for themselves - more security, a faster and more reliable service - not to mention value for money."

He urged those businesses that had not already signed up to do so.

"Fibre is the best opportunity for Hawke's Bay business to catch up with the rest of the world and become more competitive.

"We are already seeing huge interest in what we are offering and urge businesses to sign up now for a free connection with their service provider while it lasts.

"The free installation will cease at the end of November for those areas we have already built past, so the time to connect is now.

"We are urging business operators to help take our region to the next level, by utilising the benefits of a fibre-driven business.

"Only with fibre can we compete on a national and international level more effectively," he said.

The build across Hawke's Bay was still on target to be completed by May 2012.

Mr Baird said UnisonFibre was also actively supporting the recently announced Hawke's Bay Business Hub - an economic development growth initiative driven by the Chamber of Commerce and local councils, in partnership with local businesses.

"Our association with the initiative makes total sense.

"The Hub is in response to ongoing calls to grow the Hawke's Bay's economy and we believe fibre has a crucial part to play in that growth.

"Already the Hub is connected to fibre and it will be used to showcase technology such as Cloud services and video conferencing."- patrick.osullivan@hbtoday.co.nz