Spark extends ‘Internet of Things’ network coverage to Mystery Creek in time for Feildays
Marcus Graham, Waikato farmer and co-founder of IoT company Knode says he will benefit from the new Spark IoT Low Power
Network coverage
Spark has switched on a new Internet of Things (IoT) site at Mystery Creek, bringing low power, wide area network
coverage (LoRaWAN™) connectivity to life for farmers and businesses in the Waikato.
Exhibitors at Fieldays will be able to use the network to connect and showcase new IoT technologies, such as water
monitoring sensors, asset trackers and soil moisture readers. Local farmers in the area can also capitalise on the
network to connect their farms.
Michael Stribling, Spark’s General Manager IoT Solutions says the new IoT coverage is a win for the Waikato farming
community.
“This is another key milestone for agribusinesses wanting to harness the power of IoT. In farming it’s critical to
manage resources efficiently. Being able to know in real-time whether a water tank is leaking, or whether a gate’s been
left open, will save farmers time, money and energy.”
“We currently have over 60% of the New Zealand population covered with more than 50 live sites and are on track to have
70% coverage by the end of July. We are also working with our customers and partners in the rural sector to keep
extending our LoRaWAN™ network into rural New Zealand.”
“Spark is already seeing their partners rapidly progress product development and testing of their solutions using
Spark’s IoT Low Power Network, and they’re seeing great results in customer trials.”
For tech savvy Waikato farmer and co-founder of IoT company Knode, Marcus Graham, the new Spark IoT Low Power Network coverage is an exciting development to help better manage
operations on his 145-hectare dairy farm.
“Connecting Knode through Spark’s IoT Low Power Network provides another connectivity option and allows me to
investigate options for controlling assets on the farm right from my phone.”
“Using Spark’s IoT Low Power Network to connect to the Knode platform I‘m able to monitor water flow, measure tank
levels and check for water leaks. The new network will enable the control of things like water valves and pumps right
from my pocket. Nine times out of ten I’ll get a water leak as I sit down for dinner. Being able to put the pump on
snooze until morning will be a game changer.”
Anyone wanting to learn more about using IoT to give their farm or business an edge will be able to visit Spark at
Fieldays site F56, where a number of smart solutions and agritech experts will be available to talk.
ENDS
Spark LoRaWAN™ coverage map: