How do you bring high-speed internet to some of the most remote valleys and hilltops in New Zealand – where fibre cannot reach and terrain defeats most wireless links? For KiwiWifi, a 100% New Zealand-owned rural broadband provider, the answer was RAy microwave technology.
https//www.racom.eu/eng/case/connecting-rural-new-zealand
Challenge: Closing the Connectivity Gap in Rural New Zealand
Across the South Island, rural communities in Nelson and Tasman had long struggled with limited or unreliable connectivity. KiwiWifi set out to change that, but faced significant obstacles:
- Mountainous and uneven terrain creating difficult radio paths
- Large distances between rural communities and existing infrastructure
- Harsh weather conditions, including strong winds and heavy rainfall
- High demand for reliable connectivity to support precision agriculture, emergency services and remote businesses
- Need for a scalable, long-term solution that could grow with customer demand
As part of New Zealand’s nationwide effort to eliminate rural coverage black spots, KiwiWifi searched for a microwave platform capable of providing stable, high-capacity links in extreme conditions.
Solution: RAy Microwave Links Deliver Rural-Grade Reliability
After evaluating multiple solutions, KiwiWifi partnered with Holland Communications – RACOM’s local representative – and chose RAy microwave links for their proven performance in demanding environments.
Key advantages:
- High-capacity RAy3 links enabling reliable broadband in difficult terrain
- Licensed 18 GHz and 11 GHz bands providing long-distance, interference-resistant connectivity
- Easy installation on exposed hill sites with limited infrastructure
- Robust hardware engineered for harsh environmental conditions
- Full technical support from Holland Communications and RACOM
By 2023, KiwiWifi had deployed four RAy3 links in the 18 GHz band, achieving stable performance even across complex topographical obstacles. Impressed with the reliability, they expanded into the 11 GHz band for longer paths and higher availability.
Holland Communications is now also trialling RAy3-80 GHz to further strengthen the regional portfolio.
Results: Reliable Broadband Reaches Remote Communities
KiwiWifi’s deployment of RAy technology has produced clear benefits:
- Reliable high-speed internet in rural and hard-to-reach regions
- Improved support for agriculture, emergency services and remote businesses
- Streamlined deployments thanks to easy installation and stable link performance
- Foundation for long-term rural network expansion
- Growing adoption of RAy across New Zealand by other WISPs in Otago, Marlborough and Wairarapa
KiwiWifi’s mission to connect rural New Zealand has gained new momentum. With RAy links providing the backbone, high-quality connectivity is now reaching places that once seemed impossible to serve.
