Spark is investing significantly into IoT networks and platforms to support the anticipated wave of ‘connected things’ to the internet.
Spark Wholesale are committed to providing an IoT product suite that will empower service providers to drive innovation across many industries. Connected car, smart cities, asset management and smart metering are examples of IoT use cases where our capabilities are enabling exciting innovation and solutions.
Our IoT portfolio is focused on device solutions, connectivity management and IoT networks.
Devices
Spark partner with multiple IoT sensor manufactures and solution providers to create an ecosystem of IoT solutions for our customers.
These devices are compatible with multiple IoT network technologies including LoRaWAN™ * and LTE CAT-M1. All devices are tested to ensure they're certified for operation on our IoT networks.
We can also facilitate custom/prototype device development through our device partnerships based on customer requirements.
We work with leading IoT hardware manufacturers including Actility, Semtech, Murata, Arrow, Libelium, Sierra Wireless, Telit, Foxconn, and Multitech.
For detailed device guidelines, please refer to the Spark Connected IoT Low Power Device Guidelines document.
Connectivity Management
Spark Connected Mobility powered by Cisco Jasper
Cisco Jasper is a global internet of Things (IoT) platform leader. Spark has partnered with Cisco Jasper to provide you with an automated connectivity management platform (Control Centre) to ensure the secure, reliable delivery of your mobile data services. Control Centre is a cloud-based platform that automates the connectivity of your devices and will enhance customer experiences and drive revenue.
Lifecycle Automation: A complete automation engine that lets you manage your devices by exception, reducing headcount and costs - both for initial deployments and ongoing operational support.
Monitoring and Diagnostics: Near real-time diagnostics and analytics allow you to identify and respond to unusual device behaviour before it becomes a problem.
Comprehensive Security: Multi-Layered security controls to safeguard customer data, your devices and IT systems.
Cost Management Controls: Near real-time cost monitoring and controls lower your TCO and eliminate unexpected spend.
Back-end Integration: A large application programming interface (API) library to manage devices, change rate plans, and much more. Automate your critical business processes and leverage the Cisco Jasper partnerships with technology platforms from Microsoft, IBM, SAP, Salesforce, and more.
Networks
Spark’s dual-network strategy
Spark is implementing a dual-network strategy for IoT, focussed on the current deployment of LTE Cat-M1 and the roll-out plan for the commercial launch of its low power LoRaWAN™ network. This strategy has been deployed to provide network capability for a wide range of IoT use cases. This strategy involving both M1 and LoRaWAN is consistent with the path of many European, Asian and US telecommunications companies.
LTE Cat-M1
Spark have commenced trials of a LTE Cat-M1 (M1) network ahead of delivering a commercial network early in 2018. This new Internet of Things (IoT) capability operates on our core 4G network, covering 95% of the places New Zealanders live, work and play. LTE Cat-M1 is a secure, high-quality network, ideal where sensors and devices are transferring data regularly and real-time access to that data is critical.
Spark are working with customers on a broad range of use cases for Cat-M1 including vehicle telematics, energy smart metering, smart cities and smart health applications.
LoRaWAN™
As part of Spark’s broader investment in IoT capability, we have begun deploying a national LoRaWAN™ IoT network that will cover more than 70% of the NZ population by July 2018 and around 80% of the population by 2020. The LoRaWAN network will suit IoT use cases that require low power consumption and long battery life at relatively low cost, complementing our LTE network which is designed to support higher bandwidth use cases.
Spark has been trialling LoRaWAN technology for the past year via a trial network in the Matamata-Piako region, partnering with Farmlands, NIWA, Balance and Agri-Nutrients to test innovative rural IoT solutions. Other proof of concept use cases have included health & safety and asset management applications.
Spark is also engaged with Actility, the leading global platform provider for LoRaWAN, to provide the network and device management platform that will enable our customers to leverage a global LoRaWAN ecosystem.
Our 3 networks cater for a broad range of use cases.
