Optus will directly contact One.Tel customers connected to the Optus Mobile Network to offer them the opportunity to continue to operate their phone services and maintain their existing mobile phone numbers.

Optus Managing Director, Mobiles, Paul O'Sullivan, said Optus would immediately begin a week-long intensive program to directly contact all One.Tel customers connected to the Optus network to explain options for keeping their services in operation.

Contact will be made via SMS (Short Message Service) messages delivered directly to customer mobile phones, supplemented by telephone/facsimile contact and media advertising.

Mr O'Sullivan said it was essential that One.Tel customers using the Optus network (as onsold by One.Tel) responded to the Optus offer if they wished to remain connected and continue to use their existing mobile numbers.

One.Tel insolvency meant Optus had been forced to end its commercial relationship with One.Tel.

"Because of One.Tel's inability to pay us for use of our network services, Optus has no option but to cease supply," Mr O'Sullivan said.

"However, we do not want to cease supply to the users of those services, One.Tel customers," he said.

"That is why we are making the offer to continue service to the customers -- but we need to confirm with them in the next week what arrangement they would like to make."

"We are prepared to throw the One.Tel customers a lifeline -- but we need to talk to them about what arrangements suits them best."

One.Tel or One.Tel NextGen customers could visit Optus World stores or call toll-free on 1300 720 216 or 1300 720 217 to discuss their options, Mr O'Sullivan said.

For more information:
Stephen Woodhill
Cable & Wireless Optus
Tel: 02 9342 7850