Optus today announced it has been successful in jointly winning a significant tender to supplymobile services to the Queensland Government.

Allen Lew, Managing Director Optus Mobile, said the multi-million dollar tender was a strategic win for the carrier that would benefit all Queenslanders.

"Optus congratulates the Government on its ability to leverage the expertise and revenues of the two largest mobile operators in this country for the benefit of the State.

"Under this agreement the plan is to build up to 80 GSM base stations. We recently announced plans to build 23 sites and now we commit to a further 17 throughout the State this year. In addition, we have an agreement with the Government to roll-out a further 40 sites which is linked to its use of Optus services.

"More than 70 per cent of the sites planned will be in rural and regional areas with a focus on major mining centres in central Queensland," Mr Lew said.

Queensland Premier, the Hon Peter Beattie MP, said the tender helped ensure the expansion of mobile communications throughout Queensland.

"This deal is a huge win for Queenslanders without costing a cent of public money," Mr Beattie said.

Minister for Innovation and Information Economy, Paul Lucas, said the deal will ensure better services for Queenslanders.

"Competition ensures that the people who live, work and travel in Queensland will have better service levels, lower prices, new services and far improved mobile coverage throughout the state.

"The opportunity for greater choice is good news for Queenslanders," Mr Lucas said.

Sites planned include: the Flinders Highway from Townsville to Charters Towers; Peak Downs Highway from Mackay to Clermont; Gregory Highway from Clermont to Springsure; Capricorn Highway from Rockhampton to Emerald; Dawson Highway from Gladstone to Theodore; Burnett Highway from Biloela to Gayndah; Burnett Highway between Gladstone and Maryborough and north of Mossman; and the Warrego Highway from Dalby to Miles.

“The project will provide the Government of Queensland with Optus' unparalleled account management capability, innovative business mobile applications and network reliability. In addition the people of Queensland will benefit by having competitive mobile services especially in the regional areas," Mr Lew said.

For more information:
Germaine Graham
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 9342 5042
Mob: 0413 029 885