Spark Enhances Network Resiliency With Ericsson IMS on Red Hat OpenStack Platform

Ericsson announced that alongside Spark NZ they have successfully deployed Ericsson’s IP Multimedia Subsystem 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.

Having used Ericsson’s IMS solutions since 2015 to support these services, Spark is expanding its IMS infrastructure with the introduction of this new Ericsson IMS node, adding to those in its two existing North Island Network Data centres.

By the end of this year, Spark plans to migrate its existing Ericsson IMS nodes onto the same platform, creating a unified, resilient network. This migration will enable any single node to handle the full traffic load for the entire country, ensuring uninterrupted service even if one or two nodes are compromised.

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. 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.

Spark’s Service Operations Lead, Mike Roigard, says: "The successful deployment of Ericsson's IMS on Red Hat OpenStack Platform in our South Island Network Data centre marks a significant milestone in our journey to enhance network resiliency and service quality for our customers. 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. We are excited about the potential this new setup brings and look forward to continuing our work with Ericsson and Red Hat to deliver the benefits we want to achieve, as we work to bring better connectivity across New Zealand.”

Emilio Romeo, Head of Ericsson, New Zealand and Australia, says: "Ericsson is thrilled to support Spark in enhancing its network resiliency and operational efficiency, with our IMS solutions on Red Hat OpenStack Platform. This deployment in the South Island is a testament to our long-standing partnership and our shared commitment to innovation and excellence. By unifying its network infrastructure, Spark is leading the way in providing reliable, high-quality services to customers across New Zealand. This collaboration underscores the importance of creating a resilient ecosystem that can adapt to future technological advancements."

Ben Panic, Vice President of Global Telco Centre of Excellence at Red Hat, says "Red Hat is proud to continue collaborating with Ericsson and Spark in this deployment of IMS on Red Hat OpenStack Platform. This project demonstrates the power of open source solutions in creating a flexible, scalable, and resilient telecommunications infrastructure. 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. This initiative underscores the strength of our collaboration with both Ericsson and Spark, as we play a key role in building the future of one of New Zealand’s largest wireless mobile networks."

Source: Ericsson media announcement