Optus today launched the expansion of its GSM mobile coverage in Central West NSW.

New mobile base stations have recently become operational at Narromine, Bourke, Cobar, Gulgong, Lightning Ridge, Nyngan, Trangie and Warren.

Federal MP John Cobb, said the extension of Optus' network would provide local residents and businesses with a choice for their mobile service provider in these areas.

"Optus is providing much needed competition in these areas, and is helping to bridge the coverage divide between the city and the bush," Mr Cobb said.

Optus Director Business Mobile Peter Acheson, said that Optus continued to 'raise the bar' by improving mobile coverage in regional and rural Australia.

"For the first time, Optus has brought its high quality network to Narromine and surrounding areas with eight new Optus mobile base stations" he said.

"Optus' network consists of 3,500 base stations and we are planning to build another 400 base stations in the next 12 months - with a real focus on improving our footprint to regional and rural areas, particularly New South Wales," Mr Acheson said.

Optus' local representative in the Central West, Darren Germon at Network Communications in Dubbo, said the expansion is great news.

"The people of the Central West now have real competition in mobile telephony. Competition will lead to better deals for people in the region," Mr Germon said.

In addition to providing coverage to these towns over the last two years, Optus has extended coverage on highways between Dubbo and Orange; Dubbo and Parkes; Dubbo and Gilgandra; and Narromine and Parkes.

The Optus network provides coverage to over 94 per cent of the Australian population, handles more than 96 million calls a week and more than 32 million SMS messages each week.

For more information:
Simone Bergholcs
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 9342 7846
Mob: 0412 206 602