Optus Mobile continues its push to win more business customers by delivering better value to the medium and small enterprise (SME) market with the launch of new 'Business Edge' plans today.

Paul Kitchin, Director Marketing for Optus Mobile, said since the introduction of mobile number portability last year Optus was focused on increasing its share of the business market over the next few years.

"We are winning big corporate mobile fleets such as IBM, Tower and HBSC, now we are also targeting SMEs with their fleets of five, 10 and 50 users with the some of the most competitive rates available.

"These customers tell us they need the best rates during business hours and the flexibility to spread value across all their staff - so that's what we've given them with these new plans.

"Firstly, all our 'Business Edge' customers automatically get our 'Business Fleet' call rates of a low 10 cents for 5 minutes to other services on the same account," Mr Kitchin said.

"Plus our 'Business Edge' customers can choose between two exceptionally low rates during business hours, 7am to 7pm, 7 days.

"They can choose between calls to landlines in Australia, or calls to any mobile on any network for a low 10 cents per 30 seconds, plus a flagfall. They choose which option is right for their business."

In addition, Optus is also helping business maximise value by introducing aggregation. This allows a business to share the minimum monthly mobile spend on each service across the other services on the same account.

"For example, if someone is on holiday and not using their mobile, their included calls value is not lost to that business because it is shared across all the users on the account.

"So if one of your staff doesn't use it - the business doesn't lose it - you get to share it around.

"Plus as an added feature to aggregation, Optus customers can use their included value on any service they like not just voice calls but on SMS and voicemail as well," Mr Kitchin said.

Business customers will also continue to have the option to choose a '0' dollar handset on the new 'Business Edge' 12 and 24 month contracts as well as on a new BYO month-to-month service.

The new 'Business Edge' plans will be available to all new Optus customers with an ABN or ACN number from 15 April 2002.

Key Point Summary - Optus 'Business Edge' Plans

• Optus has introduced aggregation. This allows the minimum monthly spend to be shared across all services on the same account.
• 'Business Edge' plans also include Business Fleet - calls to mobiles on the same account for 10 cents for 5 minutes.
• Choice between two great offers available in peak business times from 7am to 7pm, 7 days.
  • 'yes' Business Link - giving customers the choice of a 10 cent rate per 30 second rate for calls to all fixed lines in Australia, plus a flagfall. OR
  • 'yes' Business Mobile - a 10 cent per 30 seconds rate, to call any mobile on any network in Australia, plus flagfall.
• New month-to-month service called Business Freedom that has no set-up or cancellation fees.

Full details and terms and conditions are available from 15 April on the Optus Website: www.optus.com.au

For more information media can contact:
Louise Ingram
Optus Public Affairs
Tel: (02) 9342 5042