State-backed shared mobile networks seem like a good way to fast-track deployment of new technologies and services, while reducing the cost burden for operators. But they have a very poor track record, as failures in Russia, Kenya and South Africa, among others, have demonstrated during the 4G era, while there are still doubts over how far Mexico’s national wholesale LTE network in the 700 MHz band will affect the market. The latest country to propose a national wholesale network, this time to accelerate 5G roll-out and encourage new service providers, is New Zealand. The idea has been pushed by wholesale operator Chorus, but has met with a howl of disapproval from the incumbent MNOs. Chorus, which is building most of…