Spark New Zealand believes it is overtaking its rivals in respect of 4G mobile data services, after making "rapid strides" in its network build over recent months.
According to the telco, the company now has 4G mobile data services available in more than 70 cities, towns and other locations around New Zealand, covering roughly two-thirds of the population.
“Since we launched 4G just over a year ago, we’ve frankly been playing catch-up with our main competitor, who had a head start on us with their 4G build,” says David Havercroft, Chief Operating Officer, Spark Connect.
“We’ve now closed that gap. Based on our projected build over the next few months, we’re confident that if we’re not already in a leadership position in terms of coverage, we will be any time soon.”
Havercroft believes the improving quality of 4G services over the Spark Network was also beginning "to leave competitors behind", as the company rapidly rolls out 4G services throughout New Zealand utilising the 1800MHz and newly-acquired 700MHz spectrum bands, as well as the introduction of Carrier Aggregation into Auckland.
“A quality mobile data network is crucial to New Zealand’s economic growth, and as New Zealand’s digital services company we are determined to deliver the best," he adds.
"We are forging a leadership position on 4G and the Spark Network is only going to keep getting better in the coming months.”
Havercroft says Spark is also ahead when it comes to building 4G coverage over the 700MHz spectrum band – designed to provide mobile data coverage in rural areas.
“The lower the radio spectrum frequency, the further its signal travels – which means in rural areas with low populations the 700MHz spectrum band is ideal because it can deliver great coverage from fewer cell sites," he adds.
"It will allow us to bring high-speed mobile broadband coverage to communities where previously it would have been uneconomic."
A 700 MHz cell site covers an area four to six times greater, and provides more effective coverage within buildings, than an equivalent 1800 MHz cell site delivering 4G services.
Join the CIO New Zealand group on LinkedIn. The group is open to CIOs, IT Directors, COOs, CTOs and senior IT managers.