Spark New Zealand to roll out IoT network

Spark New Zealand has commenced the development of a nationwide low power wide area network (LPWAN) for use with the Internet of Things.

“We are moving to take a leadership position in IoT because we already have a lot of capabilities needed to make the most of a more connected world — we have the world-class network, we have the platforms and we have the big data analytics power of Qrious to make sense of the torrent of information that will be created from networks of sensors connecting the things around us,” said Spark’s GM for IoT, Michael Stribling.

The network is being developed by Kordia, which has commenced initial network design in preparation for the build.

A significant proportion of the network, which will operate on the LoRa standard, is expected to be operational by June 2018.

According to Spark, an advantage of LoRa is that it enables a long battery life on sensors and devices.

Spark is also planning to deploy mobile network-based IoT networks (LTE-M1 and Narrow-Band LTE).

“We believe that there are different use cases emerging for different IoT networks, depending on the level and type of data that needs to be transmitted by IoT devices,” said Stribling.

“In making an investment in LoRa, in addition to its LTE investments, Spark believes it will be in position to provide the broadest set of IoT solutions to its customers.

Spark is already working with New Zealand partners to demonstrate a partnership approach to IoT, as evidenced in the Connected Farms pilot, where Spark is working with Farmlands, NIWA and Ballance Agri-Nutrients, as well as device partners to roll out pilot IoT capabilities on farms in the Waikato.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/sdecoret

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