​Downer and out? Chorus changes service partner in Wellington region

“We have such a high demand for fibre in the Wellington region..."

Chorus has announced that from May, Visionstream will be carrying out fibre installations in Wellington, Kapiti Coast and Manawatu.

Visionstream will take over from Downer, however Downer will continue to carry out fibre installations in the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa.

Chorus expects that some Downer employees will be affected by the change, however, as demand for fibre is increasing significantly, more technicians will need to be recruited than will be affected by this change.

In addition, Chorus also expects that Downer technicians will have opportunities either to move to Visionstream or remain with Downer and continue to work on the copper network.

“We have had such a high demand for fibre in the Wellington region that we need to make changes to ensure consumers are connected to fibre much quicker than is currently the case,” says Nick Woodward, Customer Services General Manager, Chorus.

“Chorus and Downer have made this joint decision in the best interests of consumers. This change will allow Downer to focus on its performance in Hutt Valley and Wairarapa.

“We’ve been open about our need for more technicians, and how we want to retain skilled people in the industry. Visionstream’s operating model has proven to be very effective in attracting new crews and in getting through the most jobs in a day.”

Woodward says Visionstream is Chorus’ long term partner in Auckland, and has also recently started doing fibre installations in Porirua - this has resulted in a “noticeable improvement” in the time it takes to connect consumers to fibre in Porirua.

Visionstream starts work in Wellington and the Kapiti Coast on May 16, and Manawatu on May 30.

Going forward, Woodward says Downer will continue connecting consumers to Chorus’ fibre network in the Hutt Valley, Wairarapa, Napier, Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne and the South Island, including Christchurch, South Canterbury and Otago.

Downer will also continue to manage Chorus’ copper network in the lower North Island and lower South Island.

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