New Zealand's Hourua joins TCCA

New Zealand telecommunications service provider Hourua has announced its membership of TCCA, the global member-led organisation for all stakeholders in the critical communications ecosystem. Hourua is a joint venture between Spark and One NZ, the country’s two largest telecommunication and digital service companies, formed to meet the needs of New Zealand’s first responders using the new Public Safety Network Te Kupenga Marutau.

Hourua is contracted by Next Generation Critical Communications (NGCC), 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. These services provide a resilient multi-network cellular solution for first responders, enabling them to share information including data, voice, video and images.

With Public Safety Network Roaming now enabled across the Spark and One NZ networks, New Zealand’s emergency services now have the best possible access to mobile services and around 28,000 km² of additional coverage to help them keep the community safe. Later this year, the launch of the Public Safety Network Priority service will mean emergency services’ voice and data communications will get priority over other users when cellular networks are congested or degraded, safeguarding their communications.

“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,” said Vaughan Matthews, General Manager and Head of Business of Hourua.

“We are delighted to welcome another mobile network operator to TCCA membership,” added TCCA CEO Kevin Graham. “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.”