Rural Connectivity Group completes 500th cell site in NZ

The Rural Connectivity Group (RCG) has achieved a significant milestone, with its 500th rural cell site now operational. This advancement marks a major step in extending wireless internet access to previously underserved rural areas across Aotearoa New Zealand.

RCG is a collaborative venture involving 2degrees, One NZ, and Spark, in partnership with Crown Infrastructure Partners. The initiative aims to bring wireless internet and essential calling services to remote highways and popular tourist locations, addressing a long-standing digital divide in rural New Zealand.

Paul Mathewson, Chief Commercial Officer of 2degrees as well as RCG director and Chairman, expressed admiration for the team's accomplishments. "These are some of the most remote sites in New Zealand, so the process to identify the sites, lease land, then get consents and build on the sites can be a long and complex process. Not to mention getting power to the sites—some are off-grid and need innovative solutions using solar. The team at RCG has done this 500 times now, bringing world-class connectivity to rural NZ," he stated.

Mathewson emphasised the significance of this achievement for 2degrees and its partners. "At 2degrees we are proud of what RCG and its partners have been able to achieve; it's a tremendous feat," he noted.

The newly established 500 sites have brought internet connectivity to 33,000 previously unconnected households. In addition, the network covers thousands of kilometres of roads and 110 tourist hotspots. This extension greatly enhances both resident and traveller accessibility to modern digital services.

Funding for this ambitious project has been primarily sourced from the Government's Telecommunications Development Levy, with an additional funding boost of NZD $75 million provided by Spark, One NZ, and 2degrees. "The funding model is unique and has been an innovative way to ensure modern digital services can be delivered further into isolated and rural parts of New Zealand," Mathewson commented.

Highlighting the scope of RCG's services, the network now handles over four petabytes (PBs) of data traffic and nine million voice calls each month, as well as significant 111 emergency service calls. These figures underscore the utility and reliability of the network in rural settings.

The 500th cell site, located in the coastal community of Anawhata on Auckland's west coast between Piha and Bethells, showcases the project's innovative approach. It features 30 solar panels and a generator to offer added resilience, catering to the unique challenges of off-grid connectivity.

"2degrees is incredibly proud to be part of the RCG, and helping enable connectivity in some of the most remote parts of New Zealand. The builds have been challenging, but with commitment, innovation, and a dedication to a mission, we have hit the 500-site milestone," Mathewson said.