Optus today announced it had won a multi-million dollar deal with the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) to utilise transponder capacity on the world's largest hybrid communications satellite.

Warren Hardy, Optus Wholesale and Satellite Managing Director said the $18 million plus deal with SBS complements Optus" strategy to sell capacity to free-to-air broadcasters on its C1 satellite.

"Optus' C1 satellite enables broadcasters to extend their digital services beyond cable reach to even the most remote parts of Australia.

"We are delighted SBS has taken advantage of our satellite service and we are hopeful that all free-to- air broadcasters will follow.

"Optus has partnered with SBS for more than 15 years to provide television and radio services. Now, as a result of this deal, Optus satellite enables the carriage of SBS's digital television services, due for transmission in 2004," Mr Hardy said.

SBS Managing Director, Mr Nigel Milan said: "SBS is delighted with this agreement which ultimately means more subscription-TV subscribers can watch SBS programs.

"The agreement with Optus allows us to fulfil both retransmission on FOXTEL and our current free-to-air commitments. The retransmission capacity has resulted in a modest increase to our satellite costs, however it is well within our current budget and not at the expense of programming," Mr Milan said.

Mr Hardy "Optus is ensuring that Australians can connect to state-of-the-art services that are often only offered to people living in metropolitan areas," Mr Hardy said.

"We are at the forefront of providing satellite capacity to enable Australians to move into the digital age."

In addition to the capacity deal, viewers in remote Australia will continue to receive regular free-to- air services from SBS as a result of Optus agreeing to continue carrying SBS's Remote Area Broadcast Services until 2008.

Media Contact:
Luisa Ford
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 9342 5045
Mob: 0411 024 104