Spark 5G Coverage

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Spark 5G Coverage

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702 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3170809 11-Dec-2023 18:07

Linux: Ring SparkNZ and ask if 5G is provisioned on the mobile number of the SIM in the laptop

Can say after ringing Spark the number on the SIM can access the 5G network.

Linux

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#3170811 11-Dec-2023 18:18

StevieT:
Linux: Ring SparkNZ and ask if 5G is provisioned on the mobile number of the SIM in the laptop

Can say after ringing Spark the number on the SIM can access the 5G network.

So then the module in the laptop can't or you are not using it in a 5G coverage area

StevieT

702 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3170817 11-Dec-2023 18:42

I spoke with the person who installed the initial antennae and they said: "First try looking for manual over-ride in settings to let you select transmission criteria like frequency banks instead of using defaults".

However, currently there is nothing installed but the FM350-GL module as another company is waiting for longer antennae to arrive, for installation. Going to use two of the four originally installed as those go up to the top of the screen.

(What's with the "too many quotes" and "Error: Sorry. Your post does not have the correct open and close tags." errors while trying to post on this forum?)

RunningMan

8953 posts

Uber Geek

#3170824 11-Dec-2023 19:22

StevieT:[snip](What's with the "too many quotes" and "Error: Sorry. Your post does not have the correct open and close tags." errors while trying to post on this forum?)

It means you're quoting a quoted quote.

Just use the reply button - there's no need to quote the entire previous reply.

matisyahu

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#3171282 13-Dec-2023 00:28

StevieT:

https://www.spark.co.nz/5g/home/articles/5g-now-live-across-new-locations/

"Earlier this year Spark announced that it will invest an additional $35 million to accelerate our 5G rollout, boosting total mobile connectivity investment to $125 million in FY22, and delivering 5G coverage to approximately 90% of the population by the end of calendar year 2023. This is assuming the necessary spectrum is made available by the New Zealand Government."

As it is nearly the end of 2023, how is this coming along? Anyone from Spark know?

I'm in Avalon (Lower Hutt) and although I don't get a 5G signal inside if I walk down to the bus stop or train station I get a 5G signal (I have a Nothing Phone 1). The interesting part will be when Spark closes down their 3G network and reform those frequencies to 5G such as 850MHz which will help with coverage when inside.

"When the people are being beaten with a stick, they are not much happier if it is called 'the People's Stick'"

StevieT

702 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3171769 14-Dec-2023 18:27

Looks like the coverage map has been updated.

Unfortunately the street I'm in doesn't show coverage, but other areas of Petone do.

DjShadow

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#3171770 14-Dec-2023 18:30

StevieT:

Looks like the coverage map has been updated.

Unfortunately the street I'm in doesn't show coverage, but other areas of Petone do.

Yep that update is already out-of-date.

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Linux

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#3171771 14-Dec-2023 18:42

StevieT:
Looks like the coverage map has been updated.

Unfortunately the street I'm in doesn't show coverage, but other areas of Petone do.

That data will still be 4 weeks plus old

KiwiSurfer

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#3171787 14-Dec-2023 19:44

The differences in roll out between the three carriers is fascinating. What I've observed in Auckland is:-

One seems to be bolting on new 5G equipment alongside existing 4G gear (sometimes adding more 4G capacity at the same time). I think they have gone with the same vendor for 5G that they used for 4G. This means even though 5G NSA means the uplink is 4G only, the uplink is still pretty good since it's often LTE 700/1800/2100/2600. They started with the low hanging fruits and places where 5G will have the biggest impact -- keeping the more difficult sites and low traffic sites for later. This means most people today will get a good 5G experience in places where there is high demand.

2degrees are ripping out all their old Huawei 4G gear and doing a full replacement with Ericsson 4G/5G at every site. Like Vodafone the uplink is usually pretty good with LTE (700 or 900)/1800/2100 fairly typical. They seem to be expanding their coverage step by step by radiating out from Auckland CBD -- rebuilding sites even in low demand areas. While this has been great for certain areas which has gotten 5G before Spark/Vodafone it has resulted in many high traffic locations further way from the CBD (e.g. Manukau CBD) still without 5G.

Spark is out of the three the most interesting approach of all. From what I can see, they seem to have retained existing Huawei 4G gear at most sites (for 700/1800/2300/2600) and adding new 4G 2100 and 5G 3500 gear from a new vendor. Because 5G NSA gear does not support 5G being used on its own it must have a 4G carrier for uplink. Spark solution at most sites seems to be the deployment of a single LTE 2100 carrier alongside the new 5G 3500 carrier -- both from their new vendor. This results in the interesting situation where my S21 with 5G disabled aggregates LTE 700/1800/2300/2300/2600 -- but with 5G enabled only does LTE 2100 and NR 3500. I can only assume Spark is doing LTE2100+NR3500 only to save cost and expand their 5G coverage quicker at the expense of uplink capacity. Their footprint is extensive though -- similar to One in most places.

Disclainer: My main phone is with One so I 'see' more of their network. I may be porting to a Spark MNVO soon so will be interesting to see if there's been any improvments since I last observed Spark 5G.

matisyahu

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#3171818 14-Dec-2023 23:25

KiwiSurfer:

The differences in roll out between the three carriers is fascinating. What I've observed in Auckland is:-

One seems to be bolting on new 5G equipment alongside existing 4G gear (sometimes adding more 4G capacity at the same time). I think they have gone with the same vendor for 5G that they used for 4G. This means even though 5G NSA means the uplink is 4G only, the uplink is still pretty good since it's often LTE 700/1800/2100/2600. They started with the low hanging fruits and places where 5G will have the biggest impact -- keeping the more difficult sites and low traffic sites for later. This means most people today will get a good 5G experience in places where there is high demand.

2degrees are ripping out all their old Huawei 4G gear and doing a full replacement with Ericsson 4G/5G at every site. Like Vodafone the uplink is usually pretty good with LTE (700 or 900)/1800/2100 fairly typical. They seem to be expanding their coverage step by step by radiating out from Auckland CBD -- rebuilding sites even in low demand areas. While this has been great for certain areas which has gotten 5G before Spark/Vodafone it has resulted in many high traffic locations further way from the CBD (e.g. Manukau CBD) still without 5G.

Spark is out of the three the most interesting approach of all. From what I can see, they seem to have retained existing Huawei 4G gear at most sites (for 700/1800/2300/2600) and adding new 4G 2100 and 5G 3500 gear from a new vendor. Because 5G NSA gear does not support 5G being used on its own it must have a 4G carrier for uplink. Spark solution at most sites seems to be the deployment of a single LTE 2100 carrier alongside the new 5G 3500 carrier -- both from their new vendor. This results in the interesting situation where my S21 with 5G disabled aggregates LTE 700/1800/2300/2300/2600 -- but with 5G enabled only does LTE 2100 and NR 3500. I can only assume Spark is doing LTE2100+NR3500 only to save cost and expand their 5G coverage quicker at the expense of uplink capacity. Their footprint is extensive though -- similar to One in most places.

Disclainer: My main phone is with One so I 'see' more of their network. I may be porting to a Spark MNVO soon so will be interesting to see if there's been any improvments since I last observed Spark 5G.

According to this press release: https://www.nokia.com/about-us/news/releases/2021/09/22/nokia-selected-by-spark-to-accelerate-5g-rollout-in-new-zealand/

"The deal will see Spark deploy Nokia’s latest 5G RAN technology across a large part of the rollout, while simultaneously upgrading 4G at these sites using Nokia products."

So it appears, at least based on my understanding, that Huawei is being kept around for 3G with Nokia being used for 4G and 5G going forward then when the 3G network is shut down they'll remove the Huawei equipment.

"When the people are being beaten with a stick, they are not much happier if it is called 'the People's Stick'"

NZFINEST

202 posts

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#3171821 14-Dec-2023 23:37

KiwiSurfer:

The differences in roll out between the three carriers is fascinating. What I've observed in Auckland is:-

One seems to be bolting on new 5G equipment alongside existing 4G gear (sometimes adding more 4G capacity at the same time). I think they have gone with the same vendor for 5G that they used for 4G. This means even though 5G NSA means the uplink is 4G only, the uplink is still pretty good since it's often LTE 700/1800/2100/2600.

One has had for a while now added NR to the uplink for it's 5G sites. Not all 5G phones support this, and I am not 100% sure if it's on all 5G sites

Anything I suggest or say is my own thoughts and not provided by anyone else unless stated

johno1234

2793 posts

Uber Geek

#3171838 15-Dec-2023 07:28

I never seem to get Spark 5g in residential areas but it seems commercial centres and academic institutions are well covered. Spark’s own coverage maps do reflect this.

StevieT

702 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3171883 15-Dec-2023 09:32

I shall find out next Tuesday if my laptop gains 5G access; that's when the new antennae will be installed. The company that is installing it has 5G coverage in Petone (according to the map). Whether I do in my street - the map just needs to reflect this - is another story.

Linux

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#3171884 15-Dec-2023 09:33

StevieT:

I shall find out next Tuesday if my laptop gains 5G access; that's when the new antennae will be installed. The company that is installing it has 5G coverage in Petone (according to the map). Whether I do in my street - the map just needs to reflect this - is another story.

@StevieT coverage maps reflect outdoor coverage up the road side

StevieT

702 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3171885 15-Dec-2023 09:33

Fibocom suggesting running an AT command: "AT+COPS=0".

Anyone know how this can be run in Windows? Command prompt (as administrator) or somewhere else?

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