Aapt Customers To Receive Cutting-Edge Services

Aapt Customers To Receive Cutting-Edge Services By New Trans-Tasman Network Management Deal With Alcatel

AAPT and Alcatel have signed a five year outsourcing agreement, with an estimated value of $A53 million, which sees Alcatel, a world leader in outsourcing for telecommunications, taking increased responsibility for AAPT’s network design and operations services.

The agreement, which is part of a wider deal signed earlier by Telecom New Zealand and Alcatel, will help ensure the delivery of cutting-edge customer services across both AAPT’s network in Australia and that of Telecom’s in New Zealand. The combined value of the trans-Tamsan agreement is estimated at $A157 million.

“This is an exciting step forward for AAPT in future-proofing the development and operation of our national voice and data network,” said Rhoda Holmes, AAPT General Manager, Customer and Network Services.

“Under the agreement, we will be adopting a unique operating model that will enable AAPT to leverage the expertise, technology and operational scale of a global player. This in turn means our customers will benefit from faster, easier access to many more cutting-edge products and services.”

The agreement involves the transfer of approximately 100 staff from AAPT to Alcatel Australia and 200 Telecom New Zealand staff to Alcatel New Zealand from 1 July 2003.

Alcatel Australia Chief Executive Officer Ross Fowler said, “The scope and scale of this deal is one of the first in the world. This new team, with the benefit of Alcatel global business resources, will extend the current skill base of Alcatel’s growing Services business to design, operate and support AAPT’s current and new network.

“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone for Alcatel, the Telecom Group and the wider telecommunications industry.”

The agreement builds on the strategic partnering relationship formed in June last year by the Telecom Group and Alcatel to jointly manage the development and integration of Telecom’s trans-Tasman Next Generation Network. Since then, 20 AAPT employees have join Alcatel’s local organisation.

“Our existing relationship with Alcatel is less than a year old and already we’ve been able to streamline parts of our operations and reduce costs, while staff have gained access to training by some of the world’s best,” said Mrs Holmes.

“Working closely with Alcatel we will build on this, leveraging AAPT’s market knowledge and Alcatel’s network and services excellence to deliver in an exciting new way for our customers.”

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