Spark has switched on its second IoT network, LTE Cat-M1 (LTE-M), which will run over Spark’s 4G mobile network to provide quality, low bandwidth IoT connectivity and will deliver a new capability for New Zealand in IoT.
Last year December, Spark started rolling out its LoRa IoT network in New Zealand’s most populated urban centres, switching on sites in Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland in time for the new year.
The new network will be a key enabler to the progressive rollout of smart metering by Landis+Gyr, a global leader in smart metering and smart grid solutions. Spark said it is the first operator in New Zealand to make its LTE-M network commercially available in main centres with a progressive nationwide rollout happening in the coming months.
The rollout of Spark’s M1 IoT Mobile network will connect a wide variety of new and existing IoT solutions and services including wearables, smart appliances, electricity, gas and water meters, asset monitoring, industrial automation and more. Running on Spark’s cellular network, M1 technology enables lower cost devices, greater breadth and depth of coverage, and near real-time access. Landis+Gyr meters fitted with flexible and modular communication modules that are suited to take advantage of 4G networks with M1 technology.
Michael Stribling, Digital Services Lead, Spark
We’re very focused on delivering the network foundations to allow businesses to use IoT to run their businesses better. By accelerating the availability of networks, we’re making IoT real, and we’re seeing huge opportunity for New Zealand businesses and communities to leverage this new technology.
Colin Brown, Network Evolution Lead, Spark
M1 offers huge potential for businesses, government and cities to work smarter, make better decisions and deliver better outcomes. We’ve invested in this purpose-built network so that our customers can take advantage of these possibilities.
