Faafoi names early 2020 for 5G spectrum auction

Communications Minister Kris Faafoi says the government aims to auction the first 5G mobile spectrum in early 2020.

In a media statement, Faafoi says the 5G spectrum auctions will start with frequencies in the 3.5 GHz band.

Although the auction will take place early next year, there are still matters to work through. One problem is that the existing rights to the 3.5 GHz spectrum do not expire until November 2022. Faafoi says bidders may get earlier access if they negotiate agreements with the rights holder.

Treaty of Waitangi issues

The government also needs to negotiate Treaty of Waitangi issues with Māori. Faafoi says this process can go on at the same time as other work. However, he says: “Until this work has been completed, we will not be able to provide details of the 3.5 GHz spectrum that will be available for auction”.

A 3.5 GHz spectrum auction won’t be restricted to the cellular companies: Spark, Vodafone and 2degrees.

Faafoi says: “Spectrum in this band will also be available to regional wireless broadband service providers. In the future, national spectrum rights will open the door to higher connection speeds and greater network capacity.”

Regional rights later

He expects to announce allocation details of regional spectrum rights later this year.

Faafoi says: “The government’s next priority is allocation of other segments of the spectrum for 5G in the millimetre wave bands and details on that will be shared later this year.”

Spark managing director Simon Moutter has previously called on the government to move quickly on 5G spectrum auctions. He plans to have a 5G network in place ready for the 2021 America’s Cup races in Auckland.

Chorus profit, revenue down, fibre demand surges

Chorus posted a first-half profit of $30 million. That’s down 36 percent on the same time last year. Revenue fell 2 percent during the half year while expenses stayed much the same as before.

Despite these numbers, CEO Kate McKenzie says the company is on track to meet its full year guidance and aims to return to modest revenue growth next year.

Chorus installed fibre to 95,000 homes in the second six months of 2018. This compares to 79,000 in the six months to the end of June.

Mainfreight buys Spark IoT asset tracking

Mainfreight has chosen Spark’s IoT Asset Tracking service to manage real-time data reporting of segregation bins used to transport hazardous goods. It is Spark’s first end-to-end IoT sale and combines the company’s IoT networks, devices, digital monitoring dashboards and support from Spark’s day time help desk.

Kevin Drinkwater, Mainfreight’s CIO says: “We have over 400 segregation bins that each cost in excess of $4000 that would previously go missing or be misplaced, and on top of that we need to abide by the stringent policies we’ve put in place to ensure our people and the public are safe when we transport hazardous goods.”

2degrees promotes Shelley, Leighton

Jodie Shelley is now 2degrees’ chief people officer after holding the role in an acting capacity since August 2018. Shelley has been with 2degrees for seven years. Meanwhile Tracy Leighton takes over a chief customer operations officer. Both are on the company’s leadership team. The company is looking for a chief financial officer to replace Mark Aue who is the new CEO.