Spark switches on Cat-M1 network for IoT

Spark has become the first New Zealand mobile operator to add Cat-M1 capability to its LTE network to support IoT applications. It is available now in main centres and will be rolled out nationally in coming months.

Spark says the new network will connect a wide variety of new and existing IoT devices and services including wearables, smart appliances, electricity, gas and water meters, asset monitoring, industrial automation and more and will be a key enabler for to the progressive rollout of smart metering being undertaken by Landis+Gyr,

Spark says Landis+Gyr was the first company in Australia to develop and demonstrate smart metering over Cat-M1, which is being used in its smart meter and communication modules.

"The company already had smart metering solutions in New Zealand and opted to switch to Spark’s M1 network to take advantage of its broader coverage" Spark claims.

Spark already has a LoRaWAN network for IoT applications. In December 2017 it said it would have the LoRaWAN network live in Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland by the end of 2017 and coverage of 70 percent of the population across a further 16 towns and cities by mid 2018.