Spark New Zealand Taps Nokia to Bring 5G to Auckland

Nokia and New Zealand operator Spark have launched 5G services in the Auckland Viaduct area to bring high-speed wireless connectivity to a major international sailing event.

The 5G network will leverage Nokia’s AirScale radio portfolio to deliver ultra-fast data speeds with low-latency. The upgraded network allows Spark’s customers to experience new interactive applications while making existing ones more efficient, even under the significant traffic demands of a major sporting event.

To support network agility, Nokia has deployed NetAct, a cloud-agnostic solution, across Spark’s network. NetAct manages both radio and core networks, and provides applications that oversee fault, configuration, performance and security management. Nokia is providing network planning and new product introduction support to optimize 5G performance.

In addition, located within the Auckland Viaduct precinct is Spark’s 5G Race Zone, also powered by Nokia 5G technology. The Race Zone is a consumer brand experience designed to put sailing fans at the heart of the action with a multi-crew simulator, a 4D immersive experience and a wind tunnel that visualizes wind data like never before.

Spark New Zealand and Nokia have a long-established relationship, crossing multiple domains, including IP, optical and wireless. Nokia and Spark have collaborated extensively on 5G technology, with Nokia supporting Spark’s 5G networks across New Zealand. The service rollout in Auckland adds to Nokia’s solid 5G momentum in the region, while it allows Spark to offer additional services in high traffic areas.

Raj Singh, General Manager of Value Management at Spark New Zealand, said: “We want customers to experience the true power of 5G, and Nokia is an important partner helping us achieve this. By leveraging Nokia’s technology, we will be able to increase capacity and coverage in the most demanding areas. With our 5G offerings, we are looking to create exciting new ways to enhance events for our subscribers. Therefore, we’re thrilled to see how consumers and businesses benefit from this 5G roll out as we showcase the different benefits of 5G – speed, low latency and mass connectivity."

Anna Wills, Head of Oceania at Nokia, said: “We are excited to help Spark create extraordinary experiences by bringing 5G to customers in Auckland. 5G delivers the speed and immediacy requirements of big events like sports tournaments, music concerts and cultural festivals. We look forward to leveraging our breadth of expertise to create more opportunities for Nokia’s operator customers in the 5G era.”