CNU
13/06/2014 08:30
GENERAL
REL: 0830 HRS Chorus Limited (NS)
GENERAL: CNU: Specialist provider for complex UFB connections
STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT
13 June 2014
Chorus introduces specialist provider for complex UFB connections
Chorus has today announced a new service agreement with Australian company
Universal Communications Group (UCG) to connect UFB for multi-dwelling units,
including terraced houses and low to high rise apartment blocks and offices,
in Auckland and Wellington.
UCG is a specialist multi-dwelling unit design and construction provider with
experience in delivering high volume, telecommunications deployments across a
variety of technologies. The company has been engaged to manage this growing
area of work for Chorus, as the UFB footprint expands.
Service companies in Auckland and Wellington have been delivering MDU work
under an interim service agreement since the beginning of this year.
The change will allow those companies to focus resources on the increasing
workloads on the rest of the UFB connection work said Ed Beattie, General
Manager of Infrastructure at Chorus.
"Wiring multi-dwelling units requires specialist skills and expertise that
don't necessarily go hand in hand with general provisioning and build
services," said Mr Beattie.
"UCG has a very good reputation for delivery and cost in Australia and is
generally regarded as the best performer and industry leader for connecting
multi-dwelling units."
"We're bringing in the experts because it's imperative that we have the best
people on the job in order to get the best outcomes for our customers," said
Mr Beattie.
Subject to demand, UCG is projecting to recruit up to 150 local staff over
the next three years across Auckland and Wellington and between 200 and 300
subcontractors.
"We are looking forward to bringing our experience and know-how to New
Zealand and engaging a skilled local workforce to meet the highest standard
of delivery for Chorus," said Ralf Luna, Chief Executive Officer at UCG.
The non-exclusive agreement between Chorus and UCG runs for a period of ten
years. UCG will complete work under capped pricing, which is subject to
review after six months or connection of 1,000 multi-dwelling units.
UCG will begin working with Chorus from 1 July with MDU work being
transitioned progressively.
There are approximately 37,000 MDU and terraced premises in Auckland and
Wellington, encompassing about 130,000 end users, that may be covered by UCG
under the contract subject to UFB uptake.
ENDS
For further information:
Ian Bonnar
Corporate Affairs Manager
Mobile: +64 (27) 215 7564
Email: [email protected]
Brett Jackson
Investor Relations Manager
Mobile: +64 (27) 488 7808
Email: [email protected]
End CA:00251541 For:CNU Type:GENERAL Time:2014-06-13 08:30:56
