Is VZW Dying?

I'm in Network and I came over with the Alltel merge in 2009. And for several years I drank the Kool-Aid, but to to honest it was a different company then because everybody seemed happy and proud of where they worked.

Now though.. not so much. The constantly increasing workload and demands, which coupled with this - our third layoff and everybody is on the ragged edge. I know in our market alone we are cut to the bare bones.. And the site count per tech that used to be around 35-40 has now increased to 80, and over 100 for some of us.

But the thing is, we have voiced our concerns before and not only does nobody at the director level seem to care, but the overall attitudes are "Choke on it!"

So I'm on the verge of getting TF out now.. I'm in my mid 50's, been maxing out my 401k, have some other investments that have worked out ok, and I think it's time. Shame too because I used to want to work here forever. Past few years though it seems as if they're TRYING to ki-l the whole company.. it's strange.

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Honestly, being an ex network tech, I’d say leave. I’m already making more than I did as a network tech at Verizon and, having more knowledge than I should have on the back end, Verizon is dead focused on a six sigma lean model. It’s no secret with the layoffs and cuts. The problem is their model doesn’t support growth and the only way they can increase profits is off the backs of talented individuals. It’s turned into a “shut up and do your job” type company which is why so many frustrations get vented in this site

There’s too much corporate brainwashing and the company is likely going further down the tubes

They could be doing exactly that (trying to crush the co), but I think it is out of pure ignorance, not by design. I have over 155 sites mix of SC, IB, Macro. It seems most of of work has been Capital and paying OT for it. What even sucks more is some radios sre hard to come by so it's extending the repairs. My motto is just stay the course, why not just do the job best you can and retire with even more money, at their expense? I think the company is falling apart because of the mo--nic strategic way of hiring quotas, hiring based off genitalia, or race, rather than merit. As a result you have a lot of bafoons in positions with importance that don't know their a-s from head. You have ignorant Hans telling us about the GA election laws, when GA is perfectly constitutional on their requirements for voting. I felt like replying all to that email and saying "Hans, what are you trying to say that black folks don't know how to get an ID?". Liberalism of yesteryear isn't the same today, they have turned into class warfare and have infected mo--ns like Hans, which wasn't even born here in the states. I enjoy fixing problems so I stay. Site count keeps going up thats ok, I will short change on annual PM.

Leave don't torment yourself.

@2bgi+1dGsQqXF must be working on his end of year. half of those items are expense tickets you open and pay someone else to do the actual work.

@1tan
Let's talk about why NA can't handle the work. Here is what it takes to be an NA tech and the work the need to do;
Backgrounds needed in:
Electrical power systems
Electronics theory and troubleshooting.
Radio Frequency components and systems.
Data, Cisco Routers and switches
Knowledge on IP networking, IPV4/6
Fiber Optic systems/troubleshooting
Tower Lighting
HVAC systems
Pest Control
Real Estate issues, handling Land Lords and Co-Locators
Weed Control
Snow Removal
SFTP/FTP processes
Excel spreadsheet management
DOT regulations and Licensing
Bucket truck safety
Knowledge in several different kinds of test gear, such as Anritsus,Spectrum Analyzers,Fiber T-BERDs,PIM gear, VOMs, DMAT test drive apps, etc..
CATs inventory management
Equipment RMA returns,
Maintain a number of different data bases, some having to add the identical information in.
New site initialization,
New carrier adds,
CDMA sector turn downs.
Utility company power meter tracking,
Site outage restoration,
On call duties,
Dealing with non Tech managers and co-workers.
Microwave Systems maint and monitoring.
Logging into databases everyday looking at assigned site performance stats,
And of course GMAIL
All of this and more with ZERO overtime !
Think how long it takes to learn all of the above. And they think you have plenty of room for more work.

And if you think 100 sites are a cake walk, then you never have done this job, especially if you have rural sites.
Don't tell me small cells aren't real sites. They can be worse than the real cell sites! With power problems, fiber cuts, wrong radios ordered and installed. Wrong voltage provided by the utility company. Etc..
A good NA tech leaves, and where are you going to find a qualified person who can assume the role? Not just anyboby can do it. 4 year degree in English Literature or not.

"The newer hires aren't technical and cant figure out how to download a script from one system and push it to another system"

You're the one who hires them, so what exactly are you complaining about?

"FAST as basically replaced most of you"

And another management bureaucrat chimes in lol. No, FAST has not replaced anybody, and don't kid yourself. FAST opens tickets for NA (just like the NOC used to do), and runs pre and post checks for tower crews. And that's it.

But that's another thing.. all this sunshine blown up FAST a-s. They are legit worthless, but VZW will never admit it.

Is VZW dying? No VZW is dead. It died when it merged with zombie mega corp union bloat VZ. Debt laiden VZ is a dead company walking. A zombie company.

@1qdk+1dGsQqXF NA can not handle the work. You have an aging workforce that can't figure out how to find an email in a web-based email system. The newer hires aren't technical and cant figure out how to download a script from one system and push it to another system

100 sites is not a lot of sites when 50 of them you visit once a year, 40 of them are small cells

FAST as basically replaced most of you

"Some markets have started using 3rd party to handle the network because NA can't handle basic tasks anymore"

Lol there is no way you are serious with this. NA can't handle basic tasks? Or because somebody at VZW thinks they can save a dollar or two?

But either way though, I say have at it. Because off the top of my head I can think of 4-5 different HVAC and generator contractors that have came and went in the past few years.. So go ahead and farm your network out too.. Sure, those other contractors suck and VZW ends up having to show them the door, but I'm sure this time will be different lol.

"Some markets have started using 3rd party to handle the network because NA can't handle basic tasks anymore"

LMAO!! Spoken like a true VZW management bureaucrat. First you try to pretend like 100 sites per FE isn't that big of a deal.. Then you say NA can't handle it lol.. So which is it? Are we all just kicking back and taking it easy with our 100 sites per, or are we overloaded?

People like you are what is wrong with this company.. No straight answer for anything, no admitting that there might be a problem, and no matter what, it's always the employee's fault.

"You say the site count is 100 sites, does that count small cells? How often do you visit 80% of those sites, almost never?"

Is "visiting sites" all that we have to do? I just used site count as an example of how the workload has increased over the years. There are parts to RMA, vendor management, tickets to keep closed, along with project after project. And yes, it was still a busy time when we each had around 35 sites.

You think you are overworked but look at how you spend your day. Look at how your coworkers spend their day. We could lose another 25% and still get the actual work done

You say the site count is 100 sites, does that count small cells? How often do you visit 80% of those sites, almost never?

Some markets have started using 3rd party to handle the network because NA can't handle basic tasks anymore

Do the minimum and wait for a package. Make them pay to get rid of you! Treat them the same as they treat you, with little regard.

When executives can so easily Amp up their bonuses by simply reducing costs, the end result is what we are suffering.

We are told to explain that the coverage gaps are simply growing pains by evolving from 3g to 4g to 5g...
"Nothing out of the ordinary."
SMH

Care is a total mess, leadership has pretty words and nothing more. The agents mean less than ever to them.

3rd Q for VZ and TMO.. 2 amazing different stories.

The problems with network team is trickling down to retail, customers constantly coming in complaining about the service like we are sprint. Was never this bad before. We can't make excuses anymore and I for one am sick of trying to cover for Verizons mistakes.

Yeah this company feels like its been on its deathbed for the past year. Seems like they stopped caring about employees all together. Then they outsourced a bunch of jobs to the lowest bidder. Now nothing works, they increased the workload and the employees that are still left are going into a deep depression. I wish they'd offer me a severance. This place is awful.

I would disagree that it is this bad everywhere else. I know for a fact my spouse is happy in her job and her company. I have other family members and friends that also are proud of where they work and feel valued for their contributions. To the OP we are in very similar situations and I will be leaving before years end as well. Our network, systems, customer service etc has deterorated so much it is embarrasing to say I work for this company. My leadership also says this is just "noise" and does not want to hear about it. So I will take my talents elsewhere.

Look around. This is the same thing going on with the rest of the country and even world. Same complaints about most companies from employees if not worse. More of a society issue than any one company.

Thread regarding Verizon Wireless layoffs

Is VZW Dying?

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