Spark celebrates switching on its 100th RBI cell site
Today Spark celebrates switching on its 100th Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) cell site, expanding 3G and 4G mobile coverage to the Reikorangi area.
A small town situated in the Akatarawa Valley of the Tararua Ranges, Rekorangi had previously experienced extremely poor mobile coverage - until now.
Thanks to Spark, residents and visitors to the small town on the Kapiti Coast can do more things in more places with their mobile devices.
Colin Brown, general manager of Networks for Spark, says the vastly improved mobile coverage in Reikorangi will give locals better and faster access to mobile services, helping them to stay connected with family, friends and colleagues.
"We're excited that Reikorangi is now home to Spark's 100th RBI site, connecting the area to the rest of the country. 4G means that it will be even easier for people to share, upload and download content faster and more reliably than ever before," he says.
The 4G coverage in Reikorangi utilises Spark's 700MHz radio spectrum, which means customers who have previously experienced slow internet speeds on a fixed copper line may now be able to sign up to the company's Wireless Broadband service.
Brown explains that 4G on the 700MHz spectrum is ideal for rural areas of New Zealand, as the signal can travel further from the cell site than most other frequencies.
"Our Wireless Broadband product uses the 4G mobile network and allows customers fast, reliable and affordable internet access," he adds.
"This is key for people who currently lack access to an adequate fixed internet service."
Spark also has plans to co-locate on a further 16 RBI sites by the end of 2016, taking the grand total to 116.
