The Southern Cross Cable's putative competitor is on a recruitment drive.Pacific Fibre's finance point man, Lance Wiggs, told NBR his company is looking to hire up to nine staff, which would take its head-count of full-timers up to 13 –and 
The Southern Cross Cable’s putative competitor is on a recruitment drive.
Pacific Fibre's finance point man, Lance Wiggs, told NBR his company is looking to hire up to nine staff, which would take its head-count of full-timers up to 13 –and make its dream of busting Telecom's monopoly on New Zealand's broadband connection to the outside world look all the more concrete.
The start-up is looking for sales and commercial managers, a senior and junior legal counsel and technical and financial staff, among other positions.
Pacific Fibre, co-founded by NBR Rich Listers Rod Drury, Sam Morgan and Sir Stephen Tindall, recently opened an office on Auckland’s Viaduct (although its sales manager, Mark Kuper, is based in Sydney).
The office as opened yesterday, Mr Wiggs said, on the ground floor of 14 Viaduct Harbour Avenue on the waterfront - putting the start-up within spitting distance of HP, Microsoft, Crown Fibre Holdings and Vodafone (hmm, would Vodafone like to escape the 50% Telecom-owned Southern Cross Cable?).
It is seeking to raise up to $US220 million as part of its drive to lay fibre between Sydney, Auckland and LA in 50:50 partnership with Hong Kong-headquartered Pacnet.
Pacific Fibre will shortly put out an RFP, with a review of responses in the New Year and with the aim of signing a contract in March, chief executive Mark Rushworth told NBR.
The Pacific Fibre boss said his company had “verbal agreements” with several foundation customers.
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