New Zealand-based mobile network, One NZ, has been named the “most zombie resilient network”.
The accolade was given by the Zombie Research Society in the U.S., after One NZ launched its satellite service.
This "groundbreaking technology” was launched by the Kiwi network before almost anyone else in the world and allows eligible One NZ phones and plans to send and receive texts even when outside traditional cell tower coverage, so long as they have a clear line of sight to the sky.
This is a strong bonus in cases of natural disasters or other scenarios where traditional telecommunication infrastructure fails, such as a theoretical zombie apocalypse. Satellite text services have already been used in multiple global disasters, including during the Los Angeles fires earlier this year.
Zombie Research Society founder, Matt Mogk, studies crisis scenarios and resilience in society. He has focused on the crucial role communication networks play in maintaining order and safety in these situations.
The Zombie Research Society has academic and cultural backing from a variety of places, including an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, Steven Schlozman.
“This notable technical evolution from One NZ offers a more resilient and robust communication network in the face of disaster", Mogk said.
“Due to its remote operation from space, rather than a terrestrial network of cell towers on the ground, it has more capacity to withstand damage and maintain connection.”
Matt Mogk's expertise comes from extensive work with the Zombie Research Society. He has studied crisis scenarios and societal resilience in extreme events.
Beyond the zombie hypotheticals, NZ CEO Jason Paris says that the satellite network is critical in very real disaster scenarios that New Zealand has or will face.
“Cyclone Gabrielle was the deadliest weather event New Zealand had experienced in 55 years. I heard how scary it was not being able to tell anyone you needed help or to know that the people you cared about were safe," he said.
"It was important to us to deliver a resilient solution to help New Zealanders be safer and more connected to each other. This is about giving Kiwis peace of mind with a reliable lifeline, no matter what the world throws at them.”
