Nokia, Spark partner to upgrade core infrastructure and fixed networks

June 14, 2017 08:15 AM

Nokia and Spark have signed a three-year infrastructure and fixed networks investment partnership deal.

Spark, the New Zealand carrier, has just announced a three-year strategic partnership with Nokia, that sees their core and backhaul networks run on a Nokia IP/Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network using Nokia's 7250 Interconnect Router R6 (IXR-R6). It features terabit capacity and high-port density delivered in a compact, ruggedised form factor, bringing the best in class IP and optics equipment and software to the Spark network.

Back in April, Spark announced plans to ditch its public switched telephone network (PSTN) in favour of a next generation IP-based network.

The upgrade will address capacity needs, embrace architectural evolution all in preparation for 5G, ultra-broadband and IoT. Due to the unprecedented growth in mobile and fixed networks the current infrastructure also meet the needs of its existing, two million customers.

Rajesh Singh, general manager of partnering, procurement and vendor management at Spark, said: "This strategic partnership is a key step for us to realise our vision of a data-driven future for New Zealand. 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."

This deal follows closely on the heels of Spark's launch of 200Gbps per wavelength fibre link using the Nokia PSS1830 Optical Transport Network. Spark has already seen a tenfold increase in network traffic with the introduction of its broadband over wireless service.

Kent Wong, head of Nokia's IP business in Asia-Pacific, added: "We are very pleased to continue our strategic partnership with Spark, which is committed to keeping New Zealanders at the cutting edge of technology. Spark's investment will safely accommodate future growth as they benefit from Nokia's global reach, expertise and agility. We are excited to help them be among the first customers to begin the move to 5G."

Spark plans to further expand the capacity and agility of its transport network over the next two years to prepare for 5G.

The New Zealand government has recently promised that 99% of the population will get ultra-fast broadband by 2025 – an increase on the current target of 84% – and the other 1% will still get 10Mbps.