Nokia partners Connexa to streamline network operations across New Zealand
Nokia and Connexa partner to centralise and automate tower network operations, improving efficiency and resilience across New Zealand.
Nokia has been appointed by Connexa, New Zealand’s leading mobile tower infrastructure company, as its exclusive Network Operations Center partner, marking a significant change in how tower networks are managed across the country. Under the agreement, Connexa will consolidate its network operations from multiple local providers to a single global partner, with the aim of simplifying operations, improving efficiency, and enhancing network availability nationwide.
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Connexa operates a growing portfolio of mobile tower sites across Aotearoa New Zealand, supporting mobile network operators and essential connectivity services. By selecting Nokia as its sole Network Operations Center provider, Connexa is placing greater emphasis on automation, data-driven decision-making, and proactive monitoring to manage its distributed infrastructure more effectively.
Nokia will provide centralised management of Connexa’s tower network through its global Network Operations Center. This includes continuous monitoring of critical infrastructure to maintain reliability, security, and performance, while supporting Connexa’s long-term operational and scalability requirements.
Consolidating network operations through a single global partner
A central element of the partnership is Connexa’s decision to simplify its operational model by working with one global provider rather than several local ones. This consolidation is intended to reduce complexity across network operations while enabling a more consistent and standardised approach to managing tower infrastructure.
Through Nokia’s Managed Network Operations Services, Connexa will gain access to global tools, established processes, and best practices developed across multiple markets. These capabilities are designed to support higher levels of automation within network operations, allowing routine activities to be handled more efficiently and enabling faster responses to incidents or performance issues.
Centralised and proactive monitoring is expected to play a key role in improving network availability. By identifying potential issues early, the Network Operations Center can help prevent service disruptions and reduce downtime. This approach is particularly important as mobile connectivity becomes increasingly critical for businesses, public services, and consumers across New Zealand.
The partnership is also designed to support Connexa’s future growth. As data demand rises and digital services expand, tower infrastructure providers face growing operational pressures. Leveraging Nokia’s global Network Operations Center capabilities allows Connexa to scale its operations without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
A milestone for the tower industry in Oceania
The collaboration represents a first for the tower industry in the region. It is the first time a tower company in Oceania has outsourced its network operations to a global Network Operations Center services provider rather than managing them internally or through communications service providers. This move reflects a broader shift in how tower companies approach operational efficiency and resilience.
For Nokia, the agreement reinforces its position in managed network services and supports its growth strategy across the Asia-Pacific region. As network environments become more complex, managed services are increasingly seen as a way for infrastructure owners and operators to improve performance while focusing on their core responsibilities.
Andrew Cope, Head of Market Unit Oceania at Nokia, said the partnership highlights the importance of operational innovation within the tower ecosystem. He said, “Working with customers like Connexa that embrace operational innovation is key to advancing automation and efficiency across the tower ecosystem. Our global NOC capabilities bring trusted performance, security, and efficiency, enabling Connexa to simplify operations and focus on enhancing connectivity in New Zealand.”
Strengthening resilience across a nationwide tower network
Connexa’s tower network spans more than 2,500 sites across New Zealand, with continued expansion planned. Managing such a geographically dispersed network presents challenges, particularly in a country with varied terrain and weather conditions. Improving operational resilience is therefore a key priority.
By adopting Nokia’s managed services platform, Connexa aims to strengthen its ability to monitor and manage its infrastructure under diverse conditions. Automated processes and centralised oversight are expected to support faster fault detection and more efficient coordination of responses, helping to minimise service impact.
Rob Berrill, Chief Executive Officer at Connexa, highlighted the importance of resilience and experience in the partnership. He said, “Nokia brings global expertise, backed by deep local experience, helping Connexa better manage its distributed tower network – over 2,500 sites (and counting) across Aotearoa New Zealand. We can help enable greater resilience in our customers’ networks, an important benefit considering New Zealand’s diverse weather and landscapes.”
Beyond immediate operational improvements, the partnership reflects a broader evolution in how tower companies manage their networks. By applying automation, analytics, and global operational expertise, Connexa and Nokia are demonstrating how network operations can be modernised to meet rising expectations for reliability and performance, while supporting the continued development of New Zealand’s digital infrastructure.
