Government strikes 5G deal with M¯aori

Ma¯ ori will get a slice of 5G spectrum as part of a Government decision to pave the way for the speedier deployment of the new generation of mobile technology.

Communications Minister Kris Faafoi said 210 megahertz of ‘‘unused’’ radio spectrum in the 3.5GHz band that is currently best supported by 5G smartphone makers would be made available to mobile network operators and

Ma¯ ori by the middle of next year.

The decision is likely to pave the way for Spark to join rival Vodafone in providing a 5G mobile service to customers by mid-next year, and for Vodafone to increase the performance of its 5G mobile network, which it launched with 100 cellsites in the main centres and Queenstown on Tuesday.

The rights would only apply until the end of October 2022, by which time the spectrum band is due to be repackaged and put back out to auction.

Telcos will be able to bid for 160MHz of the ‘‘early release’’ spectrum, with 50MHz set aside for Ma¯ ori.

Faafoi said the decision would allow the telecommunications industry to move forward faster with the deployment of 5G services, which offered improved data speeds and capacity for both conventional mobile and fixed wireless broadband.

‘‘Progressing with 5G will ensure New Zealand keeps pace with global developments, give us world-class connectivity, and provide a platform for exciting new applications which can improve future livelihoods and ways of life,’’ he said.

Successive governments have so far chosen not to formally recognise a Treaty of Waitangi claim by Ma¯ori to radio spectrum.

In 2013, the former National government provided Ma¯ ori with a $30 million Ma¯ ori ‘‘ICT development fund’’ in lieu of 4G spectrum.

But Faafoi said the 50MHz short-term allocation would ‘‘act as a stepping-stone for Ma¯ ori and the Crown to reach an enduring agreement which recognises Ma¯ ori interests’’.

Those interests related to ‘‘digital jobs, healthcare, the rural economy and connectivity, education, broadcasting, and the revitalisation of te reo’’, he said.

A support programme would be developed to build Ma¯ ori capability in spectrum-related industries, he said.

The Ma¯ ori Spectrum Working Group is overseeing the Ma¯ori interest in spectrum.