Spark Digital to drive InterCity Wi-Fi rollout

Monday, 1 December 2014, 10:35 am
Press Release: Spark NZ

Spark Digital to drive InterCity Wi-Fi rollout

New Zealand’s iconic national bus service InterCity has selected Spark Digital as its partner to launch Wi-Fi across the entire fleet. From this summer travellers and tourists will benefit from seamless 3G and 4G mobile Wi-Fi across New Zealand’s largest passenger transport network.

InterCity awarded the contract after an extensive trial on selected routes in order to determine the best coverage and technology from a range of network providers.

Spark Digital’s General Manager of Corporate Clients, Simon Gillespie, says InterCity chose Spark Digital on the strength of the company’s reputation for providing exceptional ICT solutions, its superior coverage, and the capability to support a number of other future on-board entertainment initiatives.

Gillespie adds: “Spark New Zealand’s recent purchase of 700Mhz spectrum puts us in the best position to deliver a high-performance 4G mobile network for New Zealand inside and outside of the urban centres. The new agreement is a strong endorsement of InterCity’s trust in Spark Digital to ensure they continually evolve and take advantage of range of digitisation solutions that will be available to their customers.”

InterCity CEO John Thorburn says that InterCity will be the only nationwide long distance bus company to have free Wi-Fi on every route.

“We carry over one million passengers each year and together with our luxury InterCity GOLD seating service, providing seamless Wi-Fi will ensure our customers travel in style and remain connected whether they are travelling for business or pleasure on all our routes.”

“InterCity is passionate about delivering our customers the best services.” says Thorburn “Our first step is to deliver Wi-Fi across the fleet and we will look to follow this with other customer entertainment options.”

The agreement between Spark Digital and InterCity has been signed this month and the service will be rolled out over the summer period with many key routes activated before Christmas. Spark Digital is the incumbent communications provider for InterCity’s fixed, mobile and WAN services.

About InterCity Group:
InterCity is proudly New Zealand owned, tracing its heritage back to Cobb & Co in the 1860s, when stage coaches helped thousands of ‘diggers’ arriving in Dunedin get to the Central Otago goldfields. Today InterCity operates over 120 daily services connecting more than 600 towns, cities and communities nationwide.

InterCity Group carries more than 1.7 million passengers nationwide each year and includes the following brands:

• InterCity provides New Zealand's largest passenger transportation network connecting to more than 600 destinations nationwide, with over 120 services every day. Fares on all InterCity services start from just $1 + booking fee. Visit intercity.co.nz.
• GreatSights, New Zealand’s largest day tours network with expert driver guides delivering informative and entertaining commentary to popular destinations across the country. Visit greatsights.co.nz
• Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands offers a range of land and marine-based activities throughout Northland including dolphin watching/swimming cruises, as well as a guided scenic coach tours to Cape Reinga and the Hokianga. Visit dolphincruises.co.nz

InterCity GOLD:
Introduced August 2014 InterCity Gold reflects the need to cater to the more discerning traveller, offering roomier and more comfortable premium seats with extra leg room and leg rests. From as little as $5 in addition to the usual competitive fare, consumers will be able to enjoy a bit of business class on their journey.

ENDS

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