(AGENPARL) - Roma, 11 Maggio 2023

(AGENPARL) – WELLINGTON (NEW ZEALAND) gio 11 maggio 2023 The Government is signing contracts with major telecommunications network operators today to speed up the rollout of 5G to regional towns across New Zealand, Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications, Ginny Andersen announced today.
“The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone in New Zealand can get access to good mobile wireless coverage –no matter where you are,” Ginny Andersen said.
“The Government has struck a bespoke deal with New Zealand’s three major network operators – Spark, 2Degrees and One New Zealand – which will deliver a faster roll-out of 5G services to around 55 rural and regional towns across New Zealand and provide mobile wireless coverage to further rural black spot areas.
“By working together with our major mobile network operators many more Kiwis will gain access to 5G services quicker, which is expected to provide faster data transmission speeds and capacity compared to 4G. 
“As part of this new agreement, our three major mobile network operators must increase the pace of the 5G roll-out to small towns across New Zealand and to continue their efforts to further expand mobile wireless coverage in rural areas.
“This deal is a huge step forward for rural New Zealand when it comes to connectivity. By working together with our telecommunications operators more Kiwis will have access to faster wireless mobile services,” said Ginny Anderson.
In return for the commitments from the major network operators the Government will provide long-term access to the 3.5GHz spectrum band, used for 5G services worldwide, through a direct allocation process. This exchange provides an opportunity to expand and improve coverage to regional and rural New Zealand.
New Zealand’s three major operators will each receive 80 MHz of spectrum in the 3.5GHz band. This is sufficient spectrum for all three MNOs to operate nation-wide 5G networks.
The Interim Māori Spectrum Commission will receive 100 MHz of spectrum. The Interim Māori Spectrum Commission will manage this spectrum, on behalf of all Māori.
This agreement builds on other Government investment, including the $60 million allocated through Budget 2022 for rural connectivity improvements, as well as the $47 million of rural capacity upgrades that commenced in February 2022.
“This is a significant win for rural and regional New Zealand, I am certain that Kiwis, especially those living in regional and rural areas, will soon reap the benefits coming out of this allocation,” said Ginny Andersen.
Long-term rights to the 3.5GHz spectrum band for 5G services will come into effect from 1 July 2023, as the short-term rights that were extended in October 2022 come to an end. 
In return for the allocated spectrum, Spark, One New Zealand and 2Degrees will each pay the government $24 million between 2023 and 2025. This funding will be used to pay the Rural Connectivity Group to expand mobile coverage into areas of rural New Zealand which would not otherwise have been provided with coverage commercially (for example, rural areas where there are mobile black spots). This funding is additional to the value of the works required to provide 5G to towns.  
Dense Air New Zealand, which is a current interim holder of 3.5GHz spectrum rights and had previously been in negotiations with the government for long-term rights to the 3,5 GHz spectrum, has since decided to withdraw from the process.
Further information is available on the Radio Spectrum Management website: Preparing for 5G in New Zealand | Radio Spectrum Management New Zealand (rsm.govt.nz).
Indicative list of towns that will receive additional coverage:

Town Name

Population at last Census

Tokoroa

13,572

Oamaru

13,107

Te Awamutu

12,195

Hāwera

9,792

Waiuku

9,171

Te Puke

8,688

Motueka

8,007

Greymouth

7,965

Gore

7,908

Huntly

7,905

Matamata

7,806

Morrinsville

7,758

Thames

7,293

Kerikeri

7,164

Kawerau

7,146

Waitara

6,915

Ngāruawāhia

6,261

Kaitaia

5,868

Stratford

5,784

Cromwell

5,610

Dannevirke

5,505

Whitianga

5,493

Alexandra

5,475

Waihi

5,403

Carterton

5,343

Marton

5,268

Tuakau

5,016

Katikati

5,010

Dargaville

4,794

Taumarunui

4,710

Te Aroha

4,551

Wairoa

4,527

Picton

45,00

Kaikohe

4,437

Waipukurau

4,383

Putāruru

4,314

Snells Beach

3,279

Omokora

3,210

Foxton

3,147

Otorohanga

3,027

Ashhurst

2934

Hokitika

2892

Helensville

2,787

Greytown

2,466

Renwick

2,418

Winton

2,337

Kaikōura

2,223

Leeston

2,208

Milton

2,157

Bulls

1,935

Wellsford

1,929

Murupara

1,815

Martinborough

1,767

Moerewa

1,632

Te Kauwhata

1,617

Fonte/Source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt-speed-5g-rollout-regional-towns