Spark switches on 5G In Auckland

Spark has turned on 5G in downtown Auckland and partnered with Auckland Transport (AT) to showcase some of the latest in Internet of Things (IoT) technology and demonstrate what the future could look like for Smart Cities.

AT and Spark have installed IoT enabled infrastructure at Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter – including 5G connected lighting, solar smart benches with charging capability (included e-scooter charging), smart bins, and parking sensors.

Trials included using Ohmio Automotion’s autonomous vehicle

(AV) in the area, test runs showing 5G and AVs work well together.

“We are excited to launch our commercial 5G network in downtown Auckland, building on the private network we have in place to support Emirates Team New Zealand and the launch of Spark Race Zone last month,” Spark technology lead Renee Mateparae says.

“Our partnership with AT is about helping bring to life the significant contribution 5G and IoT will make in addressing urban, economic and sustainability challenges across the country.

“5G will eventually allow for one million devices to be connected per square kilometre on a continual basis, generating data that will help governments, councils and businesses respond quickly, allocate resources wisely and plan for the future, which will ultimately improve services and amenities for New Zealanders.”

Smart lighting has been installed in streets around Wynyard Quarter’s Innovation Precinct, which can now generate heat maps of foot traffic to help AT identify any ‘choke points’ to better inform future infrastructure investments, as well as monitor air and noise pollution.

Some lights are fitted with 5G connected CCTV which could enable better detection of criminal activity, capturing high definition video even at night, and can be dimmed and brightened remotely to help reduce energy consumption.

Solar powered smart benches with convenient smart phone and electric scooter charging capabilities have also been installed at the Quarter, connected over Spark’s low powered IoT network.

Sensors attached to bins can detect when they’re full and can contact the council for service, preventing overflow and reducing the number of rubbish trucks on the road.

“We’re learning how to use smart infrastructure in a way that works for Auckland so we can leverage applications as they evolve and become more commonplace,” AT technology solutions group manager Chris Creighton says.

“For example, we estimate Aucklanders visiting the city can spend up to one third of their journey searching for a carpark, so we’re working with Spark to explore ways to help Aucklanders find available carparks quicker by installing 200 smart parking sensors throughout the Quarter.”

Creighton says AT expects IoT applications powered by 5G could be used in future to detect incidents such as car crashes or pedestrian accidents and notify the appropriate authorities, reducing the time it takes for emergency services to respond and potentially saving lives.

Spark customers in Auckland can now experience 5G speeds first-hand with a 5G ready mobile phone, free of charge, no matter what plan they are on until at least July 2021.