Woosh outsourcing of WiMAX costs 30 jobs

Internet and phone provider Woosh is sacking 30 staff as part of a plan to outsource jobs for the roll-out of its broadband high-speed wireless network WiMAX.

Woosh chief operating officer Kevin Wiley said yesterday that it would cut 30 jobs - 20 per cent of its staff.

"The Woosh operational business model is changing as we stabilise our position and prepare for the next push forward using our own resources more efficiently, and outsourcing from specialist organisations where appropriate."

It would use contracted services for its WiMAX network.

Woosh's network was operating efficiently and the company would focus on increasing its wireless customer base in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.

"The Woosh business is stable, Quicksilver is bedded in and we're looking to have a positive cash-flow next year. Our operational structure just needed to adjust to our business strategy - we will pursue customer growth from the network and through common sense acquisition."

Woosh chief executive Bob Smith resigned at the end of July after striking a deal for Quicksilver's DSL service which expanded Woosh's network to outside its present wireless coverage areas.

Woosh has international funding to build a high-speed WiMAX broadband network but those plans are in limbo while the ministry considers the future of radio spectrum needed for the network.