VHA cuts 320, releases $1bn tender

Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) has cut 320 staff under the first phase of its merger, with the mobile telco now looking to streamline its network management.

The cull, under which head and state office staff from both companies were required to reapply for their roles, was completed by the end of September, a VHA spokesperson told ZDNet.com.au.

VHA was already understood to have released its network management tender, currently held by Nokia Siemens Networks on Vodafone's side and Ericsson on Hutchison's.

The value of the network management deal was believed to be around the $1 billion mark; however, VHA will also need to determine the future of its joint venture networks with both Optus and Telstra.

The company was making fast progress on the merger, having recently confirmed Tasmania over Queensland as its call centre headquarters, a move which also saw it ditch its outsourced call-centre operations in Melbourne.

Last month, VHA announced it would consolidate its two Sydney office locations into a six-floor centre in North Sydney's new Ark development.