Hourua is a joint venture between Spark and One NZ, New Zealand’s two largest telecommunication and digital service companies. According to a press release from TCCA, it was formed to meet the needs of New Zealand’s first responders via the new public safety network Te Kupenga Marutau.
The release continued: “Hourua is contracted by Next Generation Critical Communications, a government entity, to deliver the public safety network’s cellular services for Fire and Emergency New Zealand, New Zealand Police, Hato Hone St John and Wellington Free Ambulance.
“Hourua is delivering two key services for the public safety network. The first is public safety network roaming. This was activated in July 2023, and enables domestic cellular roaming across the Spark and One NZ networks, extending mobile coverage for emergency services. If one network is not available, users will roam to the alternate network enabling communications continuity for first responder and public safety.
“The second service is public safety network priority, which is planned to go live in late 2024. This will ensure that emergency services’ voice and data communications will get priority over other users when cellular networks are congested or degraded, safeguarding their communications."
General manager and head of business at Hourua, Vaughan Matthews, said: “We look forward to making the most of the combined knowledge across all the members of the wider TCCA community to work with next generation critical communications, and help the public safety community in New Zealand make the most of the current and emerging technologies.”
TCCA CEO, Kevin Graham, said: “We are delighted to welcome another mobile network operator to TCCA membership. As in New Zealand, many countries are looking to leverage existing carriers to provide critical communications for public safety and other critical industry sectors. The experience Hourua will bring to our global community will be invaluable in helping other nations and agencies progress their programs.”
