Job cuts part of Telecom revamp

Corporate staff redundancies are planned at Telecom in a major restructuring as the telco goes under the regulatory knife.

The company has confirmed redundancies in its corporate, finance and marketing sectors.

Telecom is under pressure to deliver to the sharemarket after posting a full-year $435 million loss last week and conceding there was basic uncertainty in the business.

Company spokesman John Goulter said the redundancies would help it implement a new four-year strategy.

Next Generation Telecom, which would combine calling, mobile and broadband services for an all-in price, was aimed at overcoming predicted declines in its fixed-line revenue and the effect of the Government's regulatory review

Goulter said: "Telecom is a complex company, and this is a complex transition ... and we will end up being a leaner more efficient company.

"It will take years to go through the whole company, and there is not as part of the process a target of 'x' number of jobs."

The company was looking to employ more people in the short term in its broadband callcentres and business internet company Gen-I.

Telecom said last week it would shift some call centre work to the Philippines. But call centre staff here would be moved to the broadband helpdesk or directory assistance services. Telecom has 6500 staff, not including contracted services.