NBN Co to cut 800 jobs

NBN Co is undergoing a restructure, with the company set to axe around 800 staff as the network moves towards completion.

NBN Co says it is winding down its rollout phase.

NBN Co is undergoing a restructure, with the company set to axe around 800 staff as the network moves towards completion.

NBN chief executive Stephen Rue said in a statement the company would dissolve its business unit, and downsize the company from 6300 to around 5500.

“As we transform for the future, NBN will become a smaller organisation, moving to an organisation of around 5,500 people by the end of this calendar year,” Mr Rue said in a statement.

“Our goal is to ensure we’re easier to do business with – for our customers, for Retail Service Providers (RSPs), and for those working across NBN, while ultimately working to lift the digital capability of Australia.

“Integrating our sales and marketing capabilities will also improve efficiency, while streamlining prioritisation, decision making and investment.”

NBN Co’s head of business Paul Tyler will also depart the business.

NBN Co chair Ziggy Switkowski told The Australian in a recent interview NBN would require a big cultural shift in its next stages, as it moved from being an engineering-driven construction company to more of a service provider and marketing partner across the industry.

The NBN still has to connect some difficult premises and refinance its debt.

“My own view with privatisation is that we need to get NBN to the point where not only have we built the network, but we have connected everyone who wants to be connected, and we’ve had a little bit of history operating as a familiar conventional company,” Mr Switkowsi said.

He said for NBN to be ready to stand on its own feet as a private company it would have to have around 9 million customers, revenue in excess of $5bn, and be clear of its financial obligations to telcos including Telstra and Optus.

“I suspect Australia ultimately is going to find itself really well served by having terrific wireless networks across the country, a ubiquitous fixed line network, and other satellite and fixed wireless that NBN provides,” Mr Switkowski said.

“What’s ahead will be vastly different to what we’ve come from. And NBN will be at the heart of it.”