Optus has confirmed its position as Australia's leading provider of satellite communications with the awarding of a distance learning contract.

The Western Australian Department of Education and Training has asked Optus to establish a comprehensive solution for teachers and students of WA&'s School of the Air (SOTA) and School of Isolated and Distance Education (SIDE).

Optus will deliver distance learning via SatWeb - an always on two-way internet access service via satellite. Using this technology will deliver a break-through in the educational experience for teachers and students in rural and remote Western Australia.

John Simon, Director for Optus Business, said for the first time over 500 of WA's remote schoolchildren and their families will receive on-line, interactive computer and teacher-based education; quality two-way voice, data, internet; after-hours chatrooms; and an easy-to-use interface for students and teachers.

"Optus' School of the Air project will provide a world's best practice teaching environment to help remove the educational disadvantages and the isolation of distance for teachers, schoolchildren and their families in WA," Mr Simon said.

The SatWeb solution supersedes the antiquated HF radio service. It can support up to 20 concurrent, voice learning group sessions at a time.

This project presents real challenges. Optus will install satellite dishes in some of the remotest places on earth - where no other telecommunications infrastructure exists. But now the on-line service will be provided 24-hours by seven days - ensuring that equality of access, regardless of location, is provided.

"Optus has a strong commitment to working with the Department of Education to understand students' needs. We have made sure our solution is flexible enough to meet those needs," Mr Simon said.

"For those students, using high-speed access for studying and correspondence - as well as other services like banking - will become a normal everyday practice. Our aim is to empower students to become lifelong self-learners."

Optus has a proven track record of bringing cutting-edge technology solutions to regional Australia. As the Western Australian Government's decision shows, we have unparalleled expertise in providing educational solutions to the bush.

Note to Editors: This announcement follows a recent announcement that Optus is rolling out state-of-the-art communications systems to regional and remote students in NSW and Northern Territory as part of the National Communications Funding.

Media contact:
Luisa Ford
Optus Corporate Affairs
Phone: +61 2 9342 7850