In a demonstration of Optus' ongoing commitment to Victoria, Optus Director Victoria Rob Parcell launched an Optus consumer and business centre in Bendigo today.

The $250,000 centre, trading under the Optus World brand, is the first Optus World in Australia equipped to assist all consumer and business customers - from individuals to small and medium enterprises to corporate and government organisations.

Mr Parcell said Optus sees huge opportunities in regional Victoria.

"This presents a significant chance for Optus to provide telecommunications services to people and businesses in regional Victoria," Mr Parcell said.

"Bendigo has a population of more than 140,000, and by having a permanent presence we can give consumers and businesses access to the same advanced level of technology and innovative thinking as metropolitan areas," he said.

Optus has invested more than $2 billion in Victoria since it opened its first Optus World store in 1992. It has built more than 1,115 mobile phone base stations in Victoria to ensure continuous connectivity and has committed to invest another $66 million in base stations by 2006. Optus mobile coverage currently extends to 99 per cent of the Victorian population.

Mr Parcell said the Bendigo Optus World meant Optus consultants could get out and about in regional Victoria, providing locals with better telecommunication services.

"We take time to get to know our customers to ensure they are delivered the right solution," he said.

"We know this is an ingredient people in regional and rural areas have been missing yet they are still subsidising city services. Today we are making a commitment to change this."

Optus offers a wide range of products and services in the Bendigo and surrounding areas. They include GSM and satellite mobile phones, broadband for consumers and businesses, dial- up internet and local and long distance telephony.

The team of 10 Optus World staff in Bendigo are part of the 2,000 highly skilled Optus executives in Victoria. Mr Parcell said Optus had plans to create more jobs in rural and regional Victoria over coming years.

In celebration of the Optus World opening, Optus has donated 35 Sony Ericsson P65 mobile phones to St Vincent de Paul Society. The Society's Bendigo branch will distribute the phones amongst its volunteers and employees to assist them whilst out on the road, helping Australians in need.

Media contact:
Luisa Ford
Optus Corporate Affairs
Phone: +61 2 9342 5045
Mobile: 0411 024 104