Optus increased its mobile coverage on the South Coast improving call quality for local businesses and residents.

Optus customers now have very good full car kit mobile coverage along the Princes Highway from Sydney to Eden.

Keir Preedy, Director Mobile Network Systems and Programs said the South Coast is an important region for Optus.

"The South Coast is undergoing a boom in business and tourism. As the population increases we are committed to continuing to improve the mobile coverage in the area," he said.

"We have delivered a number of new base stations over the last 12 months and upgraded our facilities including increasing capacity in Wollongong's CBD area.

Mr Preedy said there was always room for improvement and that Optus was working hard to priortise its building program to ensure adequate coverage.

The Optus Mobile Digital Network now reaches 94 per cent of the Australian population. That means that over 17.8 million Australians now live in areas where they could use the Optus network.

Optus was awarded the Mobility Magazine's 'Network of the Year' award in 1999 and the Australian Telecom Magazine, Mobile Carrier of the Year award in 2000.

For more information contact:
Louise Ingram
Cable & Wireless Optus
Tel: 02 9342 5042