\tSpark New Zealand advanced its 5G plans with the commencement of a trial with the Emirates Team New Zealand sailing team.<\/p>\n
The operator said the trial service is an extension of its interactive 5G test lab [1] which opened in November 2018 in Wynyard Quarter in downtown Auckland, using spectrum on loan from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. The set-up uses Huawei equipment, but Spark noted it is a private network for the sailing team’s use only, and is isolated from the rest of its infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Spark said Emirates Team New Zealand can livestream data and video back to engineers and designers at the base straight from boat while it\u2019s sailing, with the real-time access expected to boost the squad’s preparations for the America\u2019s Cup race in 2021.<\/p>\n
Dan Bernasconi, head of design for Emirates Team New Zealand, said data streams cover “boat speed, ride height and hydraulic pressure coming off the water”.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Spark said the 5G lab is primarily designed as a collaboration space to give local innovators, entrepreneurs and companies early access to 5G for testing.<\/p>\n
It will also host technologies showcasing some of the possibilities and benefits of 5G.<\/p>\n
In late September the operator turned on 5G service [2] in Alexandra for a limited number of enterprise and consumer customers, with plans to expand the network to an additional five towns by the year-end and other locations in early 2020.<\/p>\n
The exact timing of its full launch, however, depends on the availability of spectrum, which is expected to be auctioned by the government this year.<\/p>\n[1] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/featured-content\/top-three\/leading-yacht-race-team-first-to-use-new-spark-5g-lab\/
\n[2] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/asia\/asia-news\/spark-vodafone-nz-introduce-5g-service\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Spark New Zealand advanced its 5G plans with the commencement of a trial with the …<\/p>\n
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