New Zealand telecommunications service provider Hourua has announced its membership with 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, 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.

Hourua is delivering two key services for the Public Safety Network. The first is Public Safety Network Roaming. This was activated in July 2023 and enables domestic cellular roaming across the Spark and One NZ networks, extending mobile coverage for emergency services. If one network is not available users will roam to the alternate network enabling communications continuity for first responder and public safety.

The launch of this globally-leading critical communications cellular service means New Zealand’s emergency services now have the best possible access to mobile services and around 28,000 square kilometers of additional coverage to help them serve the community and keep New Zealand safe.

The second service is Public Safety Network Priority, which is planned to go live in late 2024. This will ensure that emergency services’ voice and data communications will get priority over other users when cellular networks are congested or degraded, safeguarding their communications.

Vaughan Matthews (pictured), General Manager and Head of Business of Hourua says, “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.”

“We are delighted to welcome another mobile network operator to TCCA membership’” said 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.”

Within its Working Groups, interoperability and certification programmes, and via its world-leading Critical Communications World event, TCCA members and partners set the agenda for the global development of critical communications.