Our new 5G network is here to meet your growing data needs.
Let's begin to discover and enjoy what this exciting, next-generation technology can do.
To discover 5G Mobile, you’ll need:
5G coverage
Spark 5G mobile is live in Dunedin, Palmerston North, downtown Auckland and Takapuna. Stay tuned, our network is expanding fast.
Check 5G coverageA 5G phone
5G phones are available from any Spark store. '5G Ready' means it'll work on our network now. '5G Capable' means it'll be enabled soon, but will work on 4G in meantime.
Browse 5G phonesAny Spark mobile plan
5G is included in all Spark plans until at least July 2021 at no extra cost. You'll be spoilt for choice with options to fit many needs and budgets.
Browse plans
IMPORTANT TO NOTE
If you didn’t buy your 5G phone from us, we can activate 5G in-store for you. Or you can call us at 0800 SPARK 5G (0800 772 755).
5G has the potential to allow you to do more, faster.
To get the most out of your 5G experience, we recommend our Endless Mobile plans. 5G will use more data than your previous 4G service. Our Endless plans include a certain amount of max speed data (which you can use for 5G). Once this has run out, you get endless data at 1.2Mbps. At this speed you can continue to do the things you love, like streaming your favourite shows on Netflix, listening to music, scrolling through social media and keeping in touch with friends and family on FaceTime without running out of data.
Endless Mobile plans
*Endless data: Allocated data at max speed, then speeds reduce to 1.2 Mbps, this will impact your experience. No tethering or hotspots, unless you buy a Hotspot extra
**Unlimited SMS: Includes person-to-person messages to NZ and Australia numbers only and excludes MMS (e.g. picture messaging) and non-data video calling.
† Hotspot extra: A person's Hotspot extra usage counts towards their total data usage on their Endless Mobile plan. Speeds will reduce after allocated data at max speed, then speeds will reduce to 1.2 Mbps, this will impact your experience.
FAQs
I'm using a Spark purchased 5G Ready device, is there anything else I need to do to get access to 5G?
- Spark will automatically activate 5G for any users with a Spark purchased 5G Ready device, when a customer is in 5G coverage.
- Spark advises customers to use the latest available software.
- To get access to 5G, some customers may need to update their software.
- Turning 5G on may also be required for some users.
- Check your device manufacturers details for any assistance with settings.
Will my device still work if I haven’t purchased it from Spark?
- For non-Spark purchased devices, we're happy for customers to try 5G, contact us for help with turning it on.
- Customers will still need to be in an area of 5G coverage in order to be able to use 5G.
- Spark would recommend using Spark sourced devices, as we can't guarantee the performance of devices not purchased through Spark.
Will my device work on Spark’s 5G network?
- In order to use 5G on Spark, the device will need to support the right network frequencies and be configured to allow Spark 5G access.
- For the best experience, devices will need to support the frequency bands below.
- 3G: Band 5 | 3G 850MHz
- 4G Essential: Band 1 | LTE 2100MHz + Band 28 | LTE 700Mhz + B3 | 1800MHz
- 4G Optional: Band 40 | 2300MHz + Band 7 | 2600MHz
- 5G: N78 (N78 can be anywhere from 3300Mhz to 3800Mhz – Spark N78 is in the 3600MHz range.
What does 5G Ready mean?
5G ready is a 5G device that is already compatible with Spark's 5G network – so it's ready to access our network as long as you're in coverage and on any Spark mobile plan. You'll need to ensure you have installed the latest software update.
What does 5G Capable mean?
5G capable is a 5G device that will soon be able to connect to Spark 5G. At this early stage of our network rollout, not every 5G capable phone can be enabled (made 5G Ready) just yet. But it won't be long, additional mobiles will become ready over the coming weeks, so stay tuned!
5G NSA
Our initial 5G deployment is 'NSA' (non-stand-alone). What this means is that a device needs to connect to 4G before it can connect to 5G. This means that at minimum, a device must support both Band 1 | LTE 2100MHz and N78 | 5G.
Is there a charge for 5G?
We will make 5G available at no extra cost on all Spark plans at time of launch, at least up until July 2021. If this changes, we will notify you so you can choose to opt in or out of the service.
Does this mean we will have more cell towers for 5G?
Currently we are only putting 5G equipment on our existing cell towers. We will not be putting up specific towers for 5G for a long time yet.