Spark has increased the capacity and resiliency of its mobile network, revealing that data volumes have increased fivefold in just 12 months.
It has added a third evolved packet core (EPC) node to its network, in Porirua, to supplement the first two in Auckland and Christchurch, saying that, in addition to adding capacity, the new node will give it the ability to shift and re-route traffic in case of a natural disaster or emergency.
Spark’s mobile customers downloaded 34 petabytes of data in the first eight months of 2017 compared to 6.89 petabytes consumed in the same period last year.
“This incremental increase in capacity means the Spark network is geared up to meet future technology requirements including the roll-out of 4.5G and the expansion of its wireless broadband service,” Spark said.
The EPC is a core component of 4G (LTE) and 4.5G cellular networks. It unifies voice and data as packet-switched IP traffic, in contrast to 3G networks where voice is carried as circuit-switched traffic.
Spark claims to be the only New Zealand mobile provider to have deployed 4.5G technology. It has switched on 4.5G in Silverdale, Milwater, Christchurch CBD, Queenstown, Cambridge, Turangi, Alexandra, Cromwell and Red Hill in Whitianga, and says it will be offered in more towns in the next 12 months.