New Zealand operator Spark NZ has successfully deployed Ericsson's IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) on Red Hat OpenStack Platform in Spark's South Island network data centre, expanding its IMS infrastructure and strengthening network resiliency. The deployment marks a significant enhancement in the reliability and performance of mobile voice and video calling services for Spark's customers across New Zealand, Spark said in a joint statement on Monday.
Also Read: Spark Announces NZD 15 Million Edge Data Centre Investment in Waikato
Benefits of the New IMS Deployment
The deployment represents New Zealand's first IMS node operational on Red Hat OpenStack Platform, streamlining Spark's network from multiple bespoke systems to a single, efficient solution. This change is expected to reduce operational costs, lower latency, and improve overall service reliability.
By the end of the year, Spark plans to migrate its existing IMS nodes to this unified platform, which will enable any single node to handle the entire country's traffic load. This setup ensures uninterrupted service even if some nodes encounter issues, the official release said.
Spark said the South Island IMS deployment was the first in New Zealand to go live and be fully operational with Red Hat OpenStack Platform. It represents a shift from multiple bespoke stacks to a singular, cost-effective solution.
Also Read: Spark New Zealand to Invest in Data Centres and 5G Over Three Years
Migration Impact
This transformation not only reduces operational costs but also provides a robust and scalable solution, enhancing Spark's ability to deliver a seamless service to its customers. The new system also features lower latency, ensuring an enhanced user experience with less delays in connectivity, the official release said.
"This strategic move means customers will experience lower latency, as traffic no longer needs to be routed through our North Island nodes first, resulting in a more robust and reliable network, even in the face of unforeseen disruptions," Spark NZ said.
Red Hat added: "By leveraging Red Hat OpenStack Platform, Spark can now offer enhanced performance and reliability to its customers, delivering a more seamless and efficient network experience."