Spark, One NZ give responders network visibility

• Cellular Network Visibility Service
• Spark management shuffle
• TCF 3G pre-call announcements
• One NZ sustainability award

Emergency services get real-time mobile outage view

A new cellular network visibility tool from Next Generation Critical Communications gives emergency services a clear picture of cellular coverage.

Known as the Public Safety Network (PSN) Cellular Network Visibility Service (NVS), the tool forms part of Public Safety Network Te Kupenga Marutau. It offers a single reference point for emergency communications and operational teams.

The tool can give emergency service workers a real-time view of One NZ and Spark’s mobile networks. But it can use predicted outage data and advance information about scheduled maintenance to show likely future conditions up to two weeks in advance.

At first, it will be used by New Zealand Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Hato Hone St John and Wellington Free Ambulance. Other agencies may get the tool later.

Spark, One NZ joint venture

Hourua (a joint venture between Spark and One NZ) developed the tool for NGCC. The service consolidates network information from Spark and One NZ into one centralised digital system view.

NGCC director Steve Ferguson says near real-time visibility of Spark and One NZ’s cellular network status will help emergency services plan effective and safe operations with confidence.

He says: “The Network Visibility Service gives our emergency services a clear view of where coverage is strong, and where it might be impacted, so they can make decisions when responding to emergencies, including large-scale events like Cyclone Gabrielle or planning future operations.”

Geographic information system

Behind the tool is ArcGIS, a comprehensive geographic information system (GIS) developed by the Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri). It gives staff PC access to the information from anywhere there is an internet connection.

Ferguson says: “This is the third PSN Cellular Service delivered to us by Spark and One NZ’s joint venture Hourua on time and on budget. Together, it’s great to have already provided a significant uplift in cellular capability for the people who rely on their phones and mobile devices to do their jobs and keep us all safe”.

Mateparae to go as Spark shuffles leadership deck

Spark has announced changes to its leadership team that are designed to align with the SPK-30 strategy outlined last week.

Mark Beder, formerly customer director for enterprise and government, will move to the new role of chief commercial officer. His job is to focus on growing the mobile business and to manage commercial partnerships.

Greg Clark moves into an updated chief customer officer role that will oversee the marketing, sales and customer service teams across Spark’s business from consumer to business.

Chief operating officer a new role

Spark’s Network and Operations director, Renee Mateparae will stay in place until the end of the year, then leave Spark. The company will look externally for a chief operating officer, which is a new role.

Matt Bain will become Spark’s chief technology and AI officer, while Leela Ashford has been appointed as chief brand and corporate affairs officer.

Spark has rolled general counsel, commercial director, strategy and regulatory director into a single position. The new chief strategy, legal, and regulatory officer will be John Wesley-Smith, while Melissa Anastasiou, the current general counsel and commercial director, will leave the company.

3G holdouts to get pre-call warnings

New Zealand’s mobile companies are ramping up their efforts to move laggards from the 3G networks that will be closed in the next six months.

Carriers are using pre-recorded announcements that play before calls, reminding customers that the clock is ticking for 3G network coverage.

Telecommunications Forum CEO Paul Brislen says the aim is to ensure a smooth transition and that pre-call messages worked when Australia went through the same process.

He says: “If you hear a pre-call announcement, it means we’ve identified that your device may be affected by the 3G shutdown, and we want to help you stay connected. Please take a minute to follow the steps or free-text 550 with the message ‘3G’ for clear instructions on what you need to do to stay connected.”

While some customers will need to buy a new phone, in other cases, it may be a case of changing phone settings.

One New Zealand wins international sustainability award

One New Zealand was awarded the Medium Company of the Year Award at the Global Sustainability Awards in London. Judges said the company took the prize because of its approach to embedding ESG (environmental, social and governance) principles across its operations and demonstrating “sector-leading, purpose-led sustainability”.

Specifically, One NZ integrates renewable energy, circular device programmes and AI-driven network efficiencies while strengthening resilience and emergency connectivity. It also plays an important social role with its foundation that works with youth and communities.

In keeping with the spirit of sustainability, Nicky Preston, who is head of sustainability and corporate affairs at One NZ, didn’t travel to London for the award ceremony but was represented by Charles Van Tuyckom and Madeleine Simmonds from the London office of Morrison and Co. Morrison is the investment manager that founded and manages Infratil, which, in turn, owns One NZ.

Infratil role

She says that’s appropriate because her sustainability role was created when Infratil became full owner of One NZ.

She says: “Sustainability is something we’ve been doing for many years. Our foundation, (formerly the Vodafone Foundation), was founded 23 years ago in 2002, but both the foundation and sustainability have become more of a focus as Infratil has become more involved with the business.

“Infratil’s whole philosophy is around investing wisely and ideas that matter, with sustainability being one of the key pillars that underpins it, and the philosophy that sort of what's good for the world and good for the planet is also good for investors”.

Woodhouse back as Voyager CEO

After almost a decade away from the role, Seeby Woodhouse is returning to the CEO role at Voyager. Woodhouse founded Voyager in 2010 as a business focus internet service provider. He previously founded Orcon, which he sold to Kordia in 2007, and now part of 2degrees. Woodhouse will replace Deidre Steyn, who is moving to Amazon Web Services.

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Reannz adds Cook Strait resilience

Reannz, the academic and science network service, says the addition of a third link across the Cook Strait will strengthen resilience. The additional link runs between Nelson and Levin, bypassing earthquake-prone Wellington.

Chief executive Amber McEwen says the link is part of a wider programme of resiliency work on the network. The new link will mainly function as a back-up in an emergency.

Five years ago:

The Commerce Commission wanted carriers to give customers better information about their mobile plans. Telecommunications Commissioner Tristan Gilbertson also wanted the mobile companies to steer customers away from needless overspending.

This time last year: We looked back at two years of the merger which thrust 2degrees into the top tier.