HMAS Canberra accidentally blocks wireless internet and radio services in New Zealand
The Department of Defence has acknowledged that HMAS Canberra, the Royal Australian Navy's largest warship, accidentally took out a number of wireless internet and radio services across New Zealand earlier this week during a visit intended to celebrate the sister city relationship between Canberra and Wellington.
The incident occurred early on Wednesday morning, as the 230-metre navy flagship made its way through the Cook Strait en route to New Zealand's capital, where the ship's crew is set to be welcomed with a parade and concert on Saturday.
According to local internet service providers (ISPs), HMAS Canberra's navigation radar began interfering with 5GHz wireless access points — devices that bridge wired and wireless networks — in regions on both New Zealand's North and South islands at around 2am.
The radar interference triggered in-built switches in the devices that caused them to go offline, a safety precaution intended to prevent wireless signals from interfering with radar systems in New Zealand's airspace.
Stuff, an online news outlet in New Zealand, reported that the outages were first raised with Radio Spectrum Management, an agency within the government's business ministry.
The agency notified the New Zealand Defence Force, which notified the Australian Defence Force.
"On becoming aware, HMAS Canberra changed frequencies rectifying the interference," a spokesperson for Australia's Department of Defence said.
"There are no ongoing disruptions."
The outages affected wireless internet and radio services in New Zealand's Taranaki and Marlborough regions, the spokesperson added.
Matthew Harrison, managing director of New Zealand-based ISP Primo, said he had never seen anything like the incident before.
"This wasn't just a blip. It was full-scale, military-grade radar triggering built-in safety protocols … and it rolled across our network in sync with the ship's movement," he wrote on LinkedIn.
"It's not every day a warship takes your gear offline!"
Mr Harrison said the incident underlined the fragility of New Zealand's radio spectrum environment, with rural fixed wireless services having to share a frequency band with radar systems.
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ABC News
12 hours ago
- ABC News
HMAS Canberra accidentally blocks wireless internet and radio services in New Zealand
The Department of Defence has acknowledged that HMAS Canberra, the Royal Australian Navy's largest warship, accidentally took out a number of wireless internet and radio services across New Zealand earlier this week during a visit intended to celebrate the sister city relationship between Canberra and Wellington. The incident occurred early on Wednesday morning, as the 230-metre navy flagship made its way through the Cook Strait en route to New Zealand's capital, where the ship's crew is set to be welcomed with a parade and concert on Saturday. According to local internet service providers (ISPs), HMAS Canberra's navigation radar began interfering with 5GHz wireless access points — devices that bridge wired and wireless networks — in regions on both New Zealand's North and South islands at around 2am. The radar interference triggered in-built switches in the devices that caused them to go offline, a safety precaution intended to prevent wireless signals from interfering with radar systems in New Zealand's airspace. Stuff, an online news outlet in New Zealand, reported that the outages were first raised with Radio Spectrum Management, an agency within the government's business ministry. The agency notified the New Zealand Defence Force, which notified the Australian Defence Force. "On becoming aware, HMAS Canberra changed frequencies rectifying the interference," a spokesperson for Australia's Department of Defence said. "There are no ongoing disruptions." The outages affected wireless internet and radio services in New Zealand's Taranaki and Marlborough regions, the spokesperson added. Matthew Harrison, managing director of New Zealand-based ISP Primo, said he had never seen anything like the incident before. "This wasn't just a blip. It was full-scale, military-grade radar triggering built-in safety protocols … and it rolled across our network in sync with the ship's movement," he wrote on LinkedIn. "It's not every day a warship takes your gear offline!" Mr Harrison said the incident underlined the fragility of New Zealand's radio spectrum environment, with rural fixed wireless services having to share a frequency band with radar systems.
9 News
20 hours ago
- 9 News
Australian navy ship causes radio and internet outages to parts of New Zealand
An Australian Defence Force (ADF) warship has inadvertently caused internet and radio outages across parts of New Zealand. HMAS Canberra, Australia's largest naval vessel, was passing along the coast on its way to Wellington on Wednesday when its navigation radar wiped out wireless networks across the Taranaki and the Marlborough region. Telecommunications companies recorded interruptions as early as 2am local time. READ MORE: Australian father released from Iraqi prison on bail after four years An Australian Defence Force (ADF) warship inadvertently caused internet and radio outages across parts of New Zealand. (AP) The New Zealand Defence Force contacted ADF after the issue was reported to them. "HMAS Canberra became aware that their navigation radar was interfering with Wi-Fi in the Taranaki to the Marlborough region on approach to Wellington," an ADF spokesperson said. "On becoming aware, HMAS Canberra changed frequencies rectifying the interference. There are no ongoing disruptions." Services then returned to normal ahead of HMAS Canberra's arrival on Thursday. The founder of local telecommunications NZ company Primo, Matthew Harrison, said "it's not every day a warship takes your gear offline". "This wasn't just a blip. It was full-scale, military-grade radar triggering built-in safety protocols designed to protect airspace, and it rolled across our network in sync with the ship's movement," he said. "We've never seen anything like it here before. "Hey, Royal Australian Navy. Where can we send the bill?" Fellow telcos Inspire Net Limited, TPNET NZ and Accelerate Wireless were also reportedly affected.
News.com.au
a day ago
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