https://ift.tt/7RcBHYz
Spark has selected Nokia to expand its 4G and 5G infrastructure in key cities and to simplify and consolidate network operations.
The deal, covering 700 sites, marks an expansion of Spark’s existing 4G and 5G programme in cities across New Zealand.
It appears to build on earlier partnerships, including one dating back to 2021 under which Nokia supported Spark’s 5G rollout to around 90 percent of the population by the end of 2023.
The new deal will see Nokia provide equipment from its 5G AirScale portfolio, including baseband, remote radio heads and massive MIMO radios, boosting 5G capacity, coverage and connectivity while streamlining operations and consolidating the network.
These systems use Nokia’s energy-efficient ReefShark system-on-chip technology, delivering superior capacity and connectivity while reducing complexity and improving cost efficiencies.
“Nokia has been a trusted partner of ours for many years, and we are excited to work with them on bringing a world-class 5G network to more of Aotearoa, New Zealand,” said Renee Mateparae, network and operations director at Spark.
“This next phase of our partnership will see us streamlining our 5G deployments to simplify operations and deliver great 5G experiences for our customers every day.”
Tommi Uitto, president of mobile networks at Nokia, said he was confident that Spark would achieve its objectives of enhancing network efficiency, improving service quality and delivering a seamless experience to its customers.
Rival 2degrees partnered with Ericsson in 2021 for its 5G rollout and 4G expansion in a deal that marked a major local breakthrough for the Swedish company.
Nokia and Ericsson, among others, have benefited from the effective exclusion of Huawei from local and many western networks due to national security concerns.