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Spark has partnered with Discover Waitomo to revolutionise connectivity in the heart of the King Country.
Using Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet, the collaboration has transformed operations across Discover Waitomo’s remote sites, delivering enhanced customer experiences and bolstered safety measures.
Operating in rugged and remote areas, Discover Waitomo welcomes a large volume of global visitors annually to its world-renowned attractions, including the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, The Legendary Blackwater Rafting Co and the iconic Waitomo Homestead.
Historically, the business relied on outdated and damage-prone VDSL (Very high-speed Digital Subscriber Line) connections that were frequently disrupted.
Spark’s implementation of Starlink has provided a reliable, high-speed alternative, addressing these long-standing issues.
The transition to Starlink has delivered significant benefits for Discover Waitomo:
• Better visitor connectivity: Visitors now enjoy seamless Wi-Fi access, enabling them to share their experiences on social media immediately, creating valuable organic promotion for the region.
• Cashless operations: Reliable internet has supported the move to cashless transactions, meeting modern customer expectations with efficient EFTPOS and mobile payments.
• Improved safety protocols: Satellite connectivity ensures consistent communication, even in remote or underground locations, improving health and safety measures for staff and visitors alike.
Discover Waitomo general manager Daniel Thorne says the improvements to connectivity have been transformative for the business.
“Our remote location has always posed connectivity challenges, impacting everything from customer experience to our ability to manage health and safety. Starlink has fundamentally changed that. Now, we can confidently deliver cashless transactions, provide reliable Wi-Fi for visitors, and ensure that staff can communicate effectively even in areas that were once complete dark zones.”
Spark’s field services team played a critical role in ensuring the success of the Starlink deployment. By conducting site surveys, identifying optimal satellite placement, and managing installation, the team ensured that Discover Waitomo’s unique needs were met.
This collaboration has paved the way for potential future innovations, such as real-time monitoring of cave environments and stream levels.
Discover Waitomo IT operations manager David Goldman says the improved connectivity has been invaluable.
“Before Starlink, connectivity issues meant frequent disruptions to our systems, from ticketing to communication. With Starlink’s high speeds and reliability, even in extreme weather, we’ve been able to not only meet but exceed visitor expectations. It’s also allowed us to improve the safety and efficiency of our operations, which is critical given the remote and sometimes challenging environments we operate in. We can now focus on delivering an exceptional experience for our visitors without worrying about outages.”
Discover Waitomo and Spark are exploring opportunities to expand the use of satellite technology, enhancing operational resilience and environmental stewardship. By addressing connectivity challenges in remote areas, this partnership demonstrates how technology can enable businesses to thrive in New Zealand’s unique landscapes.
