Cable & Wireless Optus has announced a $4.5 million tender win with the New South Wales Department of Education and Training to deliver two-way, broadband internet access via satellite to 171 remote and rural schools in the state.

Under the terms of the two-year deal, Optus will now carry information for more than 7,200 school students via the four-megabit satellite service.

NSW Premier, Bob Carr, said the Government was committed to providing equal access to information for all NSW students.

"This deal with Optus means that all NSW students - from Broken Hill to Bronte - will now have fast connections to the latest information on the internet, as well as to each other," Mr Carr said.

Chris Hancock, Managing Director, Data & Business Services, said the students would be using Optus's leading-edge broadband satellite service.

"Optus announced plans for Australia's first two-way broadband satellite service last week and the remote and rural school students of NSW will be amongst the first to use this state-of-the-art service.

"Satellite is the natural choice to reach all corners of NSW and Optus is Australia's leading provider of satellite services. It is a technology where geography is no barrier - students in remote and rural areas can now receive a reliable, high-speed, two-way service," Mr Hancock said.

The satellite services are expected to be fully operational by September 2001.

For more information:
Linda Collard
Cable & Wireless Optus
Phone: 02 9342 5045