Work off to an excellent start: Visionstream

MEDIA RELEASE
26 August 2009

Work off to an excellent start: Visionstream

Visionstream’s 10-year contract to construct and maintain Telecom’s network infrastructure in Auckland and Northland is underway, and work has got off to an excellent start, the company said today.

Visionstream owner operators began working in some parts of Auckland last Monday, as part of a phased handover that will see the transfer from existing providers fully completed throughout the region by October 1.

New Zealand Manager Andrew Stevens said that the first few days had gone extremely well, and the company remained well on track to having a full complement of technicians and support staff in place by October 1.

“In the first three days, Visionstream workers have successfully completed an above-average number of callouts for the area without any hitches – and even logged congratulatory calls from satisfied customers,” Mr Stevens said.

While Visionstream’s owner operator model has generated considerable comment, Mr Stevens said once technicians had been shown how it works they had been quick to see its potential. The company had now signed up more than 70 percent of its field workforce, and was continuing to receive enquiries from qualified technicians throughout New Zealand and overseas.

Mr Stevens said suggestions the owner operator model would see workers incomes halved were “well wide of the mark”.

“Our rates have been calculated so that field staff maintaining a level of output in line with the current industry average can expect to maintain a similar level of income, and those with good productivity levels can achieve a significantly higher income,”he said.

“Our calculations have been backed by technicians already working as sub-contractors for other service providers, and by independent analysis of the owner operator model carried out for Chorus by business consultancy Deloitte.”

Mr Stevens said new owner operators were given considerable financial and technical support to get them started. Visionstream also provided ongoing back-office support and training opportunities for existing workers and for newcomers to the industry.

“We’re here for the long haul. If we are going to build a successful business in New Zealand, we need to provide technicians with an offer that rewards them properly for the skills they possess and the work they carry out, and we need to ensure that the next generation of workers sees our industry as a viable career choice.”

Visionstream is a specialist communications infrastructure service company with a field force of more than 2,000 owner operators that has provided design, construction, commissioning, and ongoing network maintenance services to the telecommunications industry for the past 13 years. As part of a 10 year contract with Chorus in Auckland and Northland, Visionstream is offering owner operators a comprehensive package including training and back-office support, as well as a contribution towards tools, equipment, and insurance costs, and access to an interest-free loan.
To learn more about Visionstream, visit To learn more about Visionstream, visit www.visionstream.co.nz

ENDS

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