Spark New Zealand has launched an upgrade of its IP/MPLS network capabilities with technology from Nokia. The expansion effort will position the service provider to support both fixed and wireless broadband services, including 5G.
The carrier has already seen a tenfold increase in network traffic in the wake of offering wireless broadband services. Spark naturally expects capacity requirements to increase as it moves to 5G and supports emerging Internet of Things (IoT) requirements. The 5G capabilities will help Spark meet government initiatives to improve broadband services in rural parts of New Zealand.
Nokia says it has signed a three-year contract to supply technology for the initiative. The company identifies the Nokia 7250 IXR-R6 router as a key building block in the upgrade effort. The router offers terabit capacity as well as compatibility with a variety of transmission formats, from legacy SONET/SDH to latency sensitive Ethernet as envisioned for 5G next-generation fronthaul interface (NGFI) applications. Spark also recently began to offer 200-Gbps wavelength capabilities using the Nokia PSS1830 optical transport system (see "Spark New Zealand deploys 200-Gbps OTN fiber-optic network link").
"This strategic partnership is a key step for us to realize our vision of a data-driven future for New Zealand," said Rajesh Singh, general manager of partnering, procurement, and vendor management at Spark. "Nokia is helping us to achieve worldwide leadership in preparing for 5G. It will allow us to offer our customers the most advanced mobile and fixed broadband services anywhere, efficiently and securely."
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