Spark New Zealand has named Nokia as its primary supplier for expanding its existing 4G and 5G networks across various cities in New Zealand. The carrier will incorporate equipment from Nokia’s 5G AirScale suite, including baseband, remote radio heads, and massive MIMO radios at more than 700 sites. This collaboration aims to “consolidate its RAN, simplify network operations, and improve cost efficiencies.”
Spark launched its initial 5G services in July 2020 in Palmerston North. A year later, it partnered with Samsung to bring 5G to Christchurch, New Zealand’s most populous city. Currently, Spark’s 5G mobile service also covers downtown Auckland, Takapuna, Te Awamutu, New Plymouth, Dunedin, Hamilton, Clyde, and Alexandra.
Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. “We are thrilled to have been selected by Spark for this transformative 5G project. With our state-of-the-art technology solutions, we are confident that Spark will enhance network efficiency, improve service quality, and deliver a seamless experience to its customers.”
This development follows other recent ventures by Nokia in the RAN market. Nokia secured a multi-year contract with Altice Portugal’s telecom brand MEO to modernize its existing RAN infrastructure. Additionally, in March, Nokia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi carrier Zain KSA to explore the deployment of cloud RAN infrastructure.
These efforts exemplify Nokia’s commitment to advancing telecommunication networks globally. The impact of these collaborations is significant for regional and international network expansion, improving both operational efficiencies and end-user experiences.
Nokia’s selection as the majority supplier for Spark’s 5G network marks another milestone in the continuing global rollout of 5G, promising streamlined operations and enhanced network capabilities.
