Tasman comms back up and running after big storm
Samantha Gee
Mobile phone companies say all cell services have been restored in the Tasman District.
Spark, One New Zealand and fibre network provider Chorus came under fire for delays in fixing services following
last week's storm
.
Spark said damage to the fibre line put four of its cell sites out of action - but all were now back online.
Network and operations director Renee Mateparae said emergency mobile satellites were used for the first time to restore service in Murchison soon after the storm hit.
"Since Cyclone Gabrielle, Spark has been working to establish a network of satellite-connected small cells throughout the country, which can be deployed to provide access to a basic level of mobile connectivity during emergencies," said Mateparae.
"In addition to the satellite solution, we set up more emergency temporary mobile sites - called 'cell sites on wheels' or 'COWs' - in Wakefield to restore coverage. This was up and running at midday on Tuesday with 4G capability."
One NZ said fibre damage took out its mobile tower near Wakefield on Monday.
Starlink satellites photographed in 2020.
Photo:
Unsplash / Forest Katsch
Head of sustainability and corporate affairs Nicky Preston said the tower was a backup cell site to a newer tower in the town, and the impact on customers was minimal.
Preston said the site and all mobile services were restored just after 2pm Wednesday.
She said
One NZ's collaboration with SpaceX
meant the Starlink satellite network made text messaging available when cell towers were down.
"This service isn't intended to replace the existing mobile network but acts as a vital safety net, a backup that can save lives during disasters."
Preston said because of industry back-up protocols, if another mobile network was down and someone was in a One NZ coverage area but were a Spark or 2degrees customer, if they dialled 111 then the call would route to emergency services via One NZ's mobile network (or reciprocal among the three mobile operators).
Chorus said all its fibre network was up and running.
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