Waikato region gets Spark 4G on 700MHz even as devices remain scarce

Spark New Zealand has begun its rollout of 4G services on the recently acquired 700MHz spectrum in the Waikato, enabling 12 sites with 4G in the region.

Working in conjunction with Huawei Technologies, Spark has gone live with 4G in Te Aroha, central Hamilton, Morrinsville, Mystery Creek and other surrounding areas in the Waikato, following the completion of a trial over the 700MHz spectrum.

Spark Networks COO, David Havercroft, said: “Today marks the start of an accelerated rollout of 4G services to regional New Zealand. Over the next few months we’ll continue to widen our 4G footprint in the Waikato region, including the Coromandel, and will bring this technology to existing sites by February 2015.

“Before Christmas this year we’ll also extend our coverage to Rotorua, enabling 4G over 700MHz in the northern part of the region, building on our existing 4G coverage in central Rotorua on the 1800MHz spectrum. This is part of our broader plan to extend 4G on the Spark Network to a range of other locations across the country.”

Currently Spark customers can access 4G on 700 MHz using two smartphones - the HTC One (M8) and the Samsung Galaxy S5 (G900i).

“We paid a premium price to secure spectrum on our preferred lower end of the 700 MHz band, which closely aligns with the spectrum allocated in Australia. This gives us confidence in the compatibility that new devices will have with our network. By the end of the year we will range around 10 devices that work on the 700 MHz spectrum," added Havercroft.