Cable & Wireless Optus announced today that it had more than 200,000 dial-up internet customers confirming its position as the fastest growing and number three ISP in Australia.

Announcing the subscriber figures today, Adrian Chamberlain, Managing Director, Consumer & Multimedia, Cable & Wireless Optus said OptusNet was driving innovation in the market.

"Today I am also unveiling the latest opportunity on OptusNet, the Dollar for Dollar Deal," said Mr Chamberlain.

"Each month we will reward eligible OptusNet customers with an online shopping voucher, equal to the full paid value of their monthly access fee, to be spent at leading Australian e-tail sites including Roses Only, Dstore, Bottleshop.com.au and Wishlist.com.au."

"OptusNet is the first ISP in Australia to reward customers with a deal of this kind. We are giving our customers everything they need to enjoy shopping online, including some credit," said Mr Chamberlain.

The deal will give new internet users an easy introduction to the benefits of online shopping.

"While Australian internet users are shopping online in ever increasing numbers, OptusNet's Dollar for Dollar Deal gives those who haven't shopped online the opportunity to do so with some of the best e-tailers in Australia."

"Industry research shows that home internet spending is expected to increase by more than 300 per cent by 2002* and that Australians are increasingly purchasing from local sites. Through this innovative offer, we are working with our selected e-tail partners to encourage this growth."

The Dollar for Dollar Deal is powered by GiftVouchers.com who are providing the technology and systems required to deliver the gift vouchers over the internet.

Available to both new and existing OptusNet members, the Dollar for Dollar Deal runs until 31 December 2000. At the end of each monthly billing period, members will be emailed an online shopping voucher, in the amount of the previous month's access fee and will be able to spend this voucher at any of the online e-tail partners within 31 days of issue.

In addition to the Dollar for Dollar Deal, OptusNet customers get a further five free hours internet access or a $5 discount on their monthly access fee by pre-selecting Optus for Long Distance phone calls.

Visit www.optus.com.au/dollarfordollar or call 1800 558 558 to get connected to OptusNet.

For more information:
Melissa Favero
Cable & Wireless Optus
Tel: 02 9342 5030