On Wednesday morning, an incident involving the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Canberra caused significant disruptions to wireless internet and radio services across parts of New Zealand’s North and South islands. In response to the crisis, the New Zealand Defence Force immediately telephoned its Australian counterpart to address the problem. The issue was that the ship’s military-grade radar systems triggered safety protocols that were designed to protect airspace.
The HMAS Canberra, one of the Royal Australian Navy’s largest vessels, on its way to Wellington. Throughout its journey, the ship unpredictably interfered with vital shared radio spectrum bands used for communications. This interference knocked out many of their services, causing a large-scale nationwide outage that was widely felt and reported by thousands of users.
Matthew Harrison, the managing director of Primo, shared his perspective about the event. His company is a leader in the expansion of wireless internet and telecommunications connectivity across New Zealand. He noted that the interference “rolled across our network in sync with the ship’s movement,” describing it as an unprecedented occurrence. Harrison emphasized the severity of the incident, saying, “It was full-scale, military-grade radar triggering built-in safety protocols designed to protect airspace.”
Dan O’Grady is responsible for radio spectrum policy and planning at New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. He described the nature of the shared spectrum bands that are now in trouble. “Some spectrum bands are free of charge and available for anyone to use – such as the shared spectrum bands for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth,” he stated. The incident highlighted the challenges that come with sharing limited communications infrastructure.
Restaurateur and former NPR station founder Andrew Jeffries told the New York Times that no amount of goodwill could stop the upheaval. “We like to be, you know, pretty reliable and robust, and it certainly took us out and numerous others,” he remarked. The ramifications of the HMAS Canberra’s radar systems exposed the unintended effects military operations may have on civilian communications.
In a typically jocular response to the near-miss, Minister Harrison said he would be sending a bill for damages to the Royal Australian Navy. “Hey Royal Australian Navy … where can we send the bill?” he quipped, reflecting on the unusual circumstances that led to significant service interruptions.
New Zealand Defence Force has responded to the disruptions. They have kept in touch with their Australian counterparts and now feel that the incident is resolved. The HMAS Canberra in Wellington this Thursday, following its brief but significant history re-shaping New Zealand’s communication landscape.