Vodafone New Zealand has selected Nokia Networks to launch its commercial 700 MHz LTE network, Telecompaper.com reported on Aug 12, 2014. Together with mobile broadband specialist Nokia Networks, Vodafone New Zealand will deploy LTE coverage on the APT 700 MHz digital dividend spectrum band. To support the launch, Vodafone will augment Nokia Networks’ scalable Single RAN-Advanced Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Stations with a 6-pipe RF module for APT 700 MHz to deliver MIMO on up to 3 sectors using a single unit. This compact service shares processing hardware with the existing network equipment to deliver a platform that is ready to support LTE-A carrier aggregation on the 700 MHz band.

Additionally, network planning and optimization services will support the new spectrum and interworking of mobile broadband services across various radio technologies (2G/3G/LTE) and frequency bands in Vodafone New Zealand’s network.

Vodafone and Nokia Networks also recently joined forces to introduce small cells in New Zealand.