Spark celebrates 100th Rural Broadband Initiative cell site

Media Release

17 August 2016

Spark celebrates 100th Rural Broadband Initiative cell site
Faster 4G mobile coverage comes to Reikorangi

Today Spark has switched on its 100th Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) cell site, expanding 3G and 4G mobile coverage to the Reikorangi area.

One of Spark’s main aims is to improve access to mobile coverage across regional New Zealand, and the Government’s RBI programme has been key to quickly growing the network across rural areas. Spark has located its equipment on all the Government’s RBI sites where it didn’t already have mobile coverage, and has plans to co-locate on a further 16 RBI sites by the end of 2016, taking the total to 116.

Reikorangi, a small town nestled in the Akatarawa Valley of the Tararua Ranges has previously experienced poor mobile coverage. Now, residents and visitors to the small town on the Kapiti Coast can do now more things in more places with their mobile devices, after the recent investment by Spark in new infrastructure needed to improve access to mobile services.

General Manager of Networks for Spark, Colin Brown says the vastly improved mobile coverage in Reikorangi will give locals better and faster access to mobile services, helping them to stay connected with family, friends and colleagues.

“We’re excited that Reikorangi is now home to Spark’s 100th RBI site, connecting the area to the rest of the country. 4G means that it will be even easier for people to share, upload and download content faster and more reliably than ever before” said Mr Brown.

Spark’s 4G coverage in Reikorangi utilises the 700MHz radio spectrum, which means customers who have previously experienced slow internet speeds on a fixed copper line may now be able to sign up to Spark’s Wireless Broadband service.

“4G on the 700MHz spectrum is ideal for the rural areas of New Zealand, as the signal can travel further from the cell site than other frequencies. Our Wireless Broadband product uses the 4G mobile network and allows customers fast, reliable and affordable internet access. This is key for people who currently lack access to an adequate fixed internet service,” said Mr Brown.

Customers can check if Wireless Broadband is available to them by entering their address athttp://www.spark.co.nz/wirelessbroadband/. Customers will need to have a 4G-capable mobile device to connect to 4G.

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Notes to the editor:

Rural Broadband Initiative

Spark is co-locating on every one of the Government’s Rural Broadband Initiative sites where it doesn’t already have coverage. Reikorangi marks the 100th RBI site over the last three years across the regions and rural places of New Zealand. Spark plans to co-locate on a further 16 RBI sites by the end of 2016.

4G

Spark has extensive plans to roll out 4G to the regions of New Zealand on the 1800MHz and 700MHz spectrums within the next two years. The rollout of 4G kicked off in November 2013 and has since expanded from the main cities of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch & Dunedin to more than 200 locations around New Zealand.

Currently, Spark is focused on extending its 4G coverage to more regions across New Zealand on the 700MHz spectrum – ideally suited to regional areas due to its greater reach - and on the 1800MHz spectrum.

Customers are able to access 4G on the 700MHz spectrum by using a 700-capable mobile device. For more information about 4G coverage in their area customers can go to www.spark.co.nz/coverage.

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