New Zealand operator 2degrees has selected Ericsson for its 5G network launch in 2021. 2degrees also reports that its national 5G network build starts immediately, and the first sites will be built in Auckland and Wellington this year. The network will expand to the other main centres, with plans for 700 sites.
2degrees will then combine Ericsson 5G, 4G and 3G radio access network (RAN) and core network. In addition to enabling the 5G network build, partnering with Ericsson is also expected to enable 2degrees to double its 4G capacity.
2degrees says it currently provides mobile services to customers via a nationwide network of almost 1,800 sites that reaches 98.5 percent of the places where New Zealand live and work.
Back in May 2020, the New Zealand government decided to use a direct allocation process, rather than an auction, giving Spark and 2degrees access to frequencies in the 3.5 GHz band. The government's Radio Spectrum Management Unit said 2degrees would receive management rights to 60 MHz of 3.5 GHz (or C Band) spectrum.
