When a doctor from Queensland signed up for a Yes 60 plan in early July, he became the two millionth Optus mobile customer, confirming Cable & Wireless Optus' strong position in the mobile market and capping 12 months of market share growth.
"Signing our two millionth customer is a significant milestone for us and a vote of confidence from mobile phone users," said Paul O'Sullivan, Director of Mobile Cable & Wireless Optus.
"The aggressive investment and expansion program of our GSM network is paying off and in the past year we can report a 50% growth in our GSM customer base."
"Our innovative marketing initiatives and products are capturing our customers' imaginations and delivering major benefits. Yes Time has enabled us to increase customer numbers, loyalty and off-peak network usage. Optus Express has established us as a leader in the pre-paid mobile phone market and we can report a fivefold increase in our pre-paid customer base."
Optus Update, an Internet-based information service that can be accessed via an Optus mobile keypad, and the planned introduction of new products using Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and GPRS (General Packet Radio Switching) technology strengthens Cable & Wireless Optus' leadership in the provision of data services for mobile.
"Being early to market with new technology for mobiles that delivers data and access to the Internet and email is part of our strategy for ensuring strong future revenue growth," said Mr O'Sullivan.
"In addition, we have built more than 600 base stations in the last 12 months and plan to invest approximately $300 million this financial year to further improve network coverage and call quality. During June alone, we have brought 63 new base stations into service and constructed 121 new sites. Our GSM network now covers almost 93% of the Australian population."
The ACA Performance Monitoring Bulletin for the March 1999 quarter backs up the focus on network quality. Optus call congestion rates remain lower than both Telstra and Vodafone networks in every state.
"Cable & Wireless Optus will continue to enhance network quality with new base stations in shopping centres, high-rise buildings and along the highways linking Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney," said Mr O'Sullivan.
"Customer confidence in our network, enhanced coverage and innovative products has consolidated our position in the marketplace. Some 11% of the Australian population are Optus mobile customers."
"We are confident that our solid foundation and ambitious plans for the future will continue to increase mobile revenue and customer numbers," said Mr O'Sullivan
Note to editors:
The two millionth Optus Mobile customer, Dr Tony Hogg of Oakey, Queensland, has received free access to the Optus network for the duration of his contract. In addition, Dr Hogg will see in the new Millennium in Sydney on an all expenses paid holiday for two, courtesy of Cable & Wireless Optus.
Dr Hogg joined the Optus digital mobile network on a Yes 60 plan through the Toowoomba Optus World.
For more information:
Melissa Favero
Cable & Wireless Optus
Phone: 02 9342 5030
Email: melissa.favero@cwo.com.au