AUCKLAND: Spark New Zealand has entered a strategic partnership with Nokia to enhance network operations, the companies announced Monday.
Under the agreement, Nokia will oversee daily monitoring and support for Spark’s network while Spark retains control over key strategic decisions, including future planning, network design engineering, and critical incident oversight. The collaboration will also focus on integrating artificial intelligence and automation to improve customer experience.
As part of the deal, Nokia will establish a local Network Operations Centre (NOC) in New Zealand to ensure critical local support remains intact.
Spark Network and Operations Director Renee Mateparae said the partnership aligns with Spark’s long-term strategy of building a resilient and automated network that improves efficiency and customer experience.
“Technology has evolved rapidly, and with the deployment of 5G and increasing virtualization, networks are becoming more complex,” Mateparae said. “By partnering with Nokia, we can focus on network strategy while leveraging Nokia’s global scale and AI capabilities for more efficient operations.”
Nokia and Spark plan to co-design AI-driven solutions that shift network management from reactive fault resolution to predictive monitoring, enabling earlier detection of potential issues.
Friedrich Trawoeger, Nokia’s vice president of managed services, said the expanded collaboration will strengthen Spark’s network innovation.
“Nokia and Spark have a long history of working together, and this partnership will enable a smarter, more efficient network that enhances user experience,” Trawoeger said.
The partnership marks a milestone in Spark’s SPK-26 Operate Programme, a broader transformation of its technology delivery model. Spark aims to leverage global partnerships to enhance customer service and drive efficiency, targeting a net labor and operational expenditure reduction of $80-$100 million in fiscal 2025.