Almost 40,000 Air NZ customers use online tool, NZ$1.4 m in credit redeemed

Spark has completed the first stage of its next generation Optical Transport Network (OTN 2) that has ‘self healing’ capabilities to automatically restore services after things like natural disasters.

It is believed to be the first time these ‘self healing’ capabilities have been deployed in New Zealand.

In addition, it will increase data capacity on Spark’s network by up to eight times, and support Spark’s 5G services.

The first piece of the new OTN 2 fibre network was installed between Glenfield and Papakura in Auckland, and is now live and operating at 800 Gigabit per second (Gb/s) (Spark’s previous links operated at 100 or 200 Gb/s).

Spark’s OTN is the fibre-based network that connects New Zealand’s cities and towns with high speed data links.

The OTN provides the backbone and core connectivity between all the main cities in New Zealand, transporting all customers’ mobile, broadband, landline, and business customer traffic, as well as connecting Spark’s network with other service providers and International cable networks.

Air New Zealand customers have redeemed more than a million dollars in credit after a new online tool went live on Monday.

The tool allows people who hold credit directly with the airline to manage their credits online.

About NZ$1.4 million(FJ$1.97m) have been redeemed and around 38,000 customers used the tool to look up their credit balance. The company also extended the period for using the credits - people have until December 31, 2021 to book and 12 months after booking to travel.

Air New Zealand’s Cam Wallace said: “We know it’s been tough for customers trying to get through to our contact centre but with this tool now being live, it gives customers a choice as to whether they would like to use self-service or speak to an Air New Zealand employee”.

The airline said it was working to improve the tool.RNZ