The Rural Connectivity Group has successfully connected 500 new cell sites, with Anawhata being the site of the 500th open access cell tower milestone. Situated between Piha and Bethells on Auckland’s west coast in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park, this tower now serves 33,000 previously disconnected households with broadband services. Last month alone, the RCG network handled four PBs of data traffic and nine million voice calls.
Covering thousands of kilometers of rural roads and 110 tourist hotspots, the RCG tower network extends its reach to even remote locations like the Chatham Islands. This initiative, a joint venture between Spark, 2degrees, and Vodafone, emerged from the 2017 Rural Connectivity Symposium in Wellington as a response to the government’s Rural Broadband Initiative.
Funded initially by $150 million from the Telecommunications Development Levy, the RCG has since received additional investments from shareholder companies and contributions from the Provincial Growth Fund. The organization’s open access towers allow multiple mobile carriers and interested parties to utilize the infrastructure for their services.
The RCG’s Chairman, Paul Mathewson, commends the organization’s remarkable performance in reaching some of the most remote sites in New Zealand. The complex process of identifying, leasing, obtaining consents, and building on these sites, including the challenge of powering off-grid locations with innovative solutions like solar energy, highlights the dedication of the RCG team.
In other tech news, Apple announced an upgrade to its satellite messaging capability in the iOS 18 update, enabling users to send and receive texts and emojis when unable to connect to a cellular network or WiFi. This feature, exclusive to newer iPhone models, will offer end-to-end encryption for secure communication.
Additionally, Zoe Udy has been elected as the deputy chair of Tuanz, bringing her expertise as a board member since 2019 to the organization. IDC forecasts a substantial growth in worldwide spending on telecom and network APIs by 2028, driven by service providers seeking to monetize new network capabilities.
Moreover, Nokia introduced immersive 3D sound technology for live voice calls, touting it as a significant advancement in calling experience. While the industry continues to innovate, concerns about AI’s impact on job security and the proliferation of AI features in tech products raise questions about the future of technology.
Overall, the tech landscape is evolving rapidly, with advancements in connectivity, communication, and artificial intelligence shaping the way we interact with technology. As companies and organizations strive to adapt to these changes, the focus remains on providing innovative solutions to meet the growing demands of the digital age.
