Execs depart as Telecom NZ's mobile network woes continue

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 23 February 2010 08:53

IT Industry - Market

Just days after Telecom NZ apologised to customers for repeated outages in its new 3G mobile network XT, the network as suffered another major outage, and the country CEO of supplier Alcatel-Lucent and Telecom NZ's CTO have both resigned.

Rajeev Singh-Molares, president Alcatel-Lucent Asia Pacific, added his comments to Telecom NZ's apology last week saying: "The full resources of our global business are available to address these problems - we will do whatever it takes... Resolving the XT network problems in New Zealand is the single most important operational matter in the world for Alcatel-Lucent right now, our entire executive and senior engineering team, including global chief executive Ben Verwaayen are involved."

Days later Alcatel-Lucent announced that New Zealand CEO, Steve Lowe had decided to leave the company and would be replaced by Ms Jyoti Mahurkar-Thombre, reporting to Singh-Molares. Then Telecom NZ announced the immediate departure of CTO Frank Mount.

The usual comments thanking Lowe for his service to the company were conspicuous by their absence from Alcatel-Lucent's announcement.

Mahurkar-Thombre is taking over the role immediately but Lowe will remain with the company for the next few weeks during the hand-over. Alcatel-Lucent noted that this handover "also coincides with the independent review of its [XT] network commissioned by Telecom."

Telecom NZ has appointed UK based consultancy, Analysys Mason to undertake independent review of the network. Telecom NZ CEO, Paul Reynolds said: "The review will commence next week and cover the design, build and operation of the XT mobile network. It is expected to be complete within eight weeks...Analysys Mason will be engaging with Telecom staff, customers, Alcatel-Lucent and other key stakeholders."

Telecom NZ announced today, 23 February that CTO Frank Mount had resigned, effective immediately. Reynolds said: "In the interests of our customers, our team and New Zealand, I have regretfully accepted Frank's resignation."

CONTINUED