Optus has significantly improved mobile coverage in the north west of Victoria, enhancing its coverage footprint along more than 900 kilometres of highway in the past year.

Rob Parcell, Director Victoria, said the north western region had substantially benefited from Optus' $90 million dollar investment in Victoria.

"Most recently, we built three new mobile towers in Yelta, Robinvale and Boundary Bend. The objective of these sites was to provide maximum coverage to the surrounding townships, and improve signal strength along the Murray Valley Highway, Sturt Highway, Calder Highway, Silver City Highway, Hattah-Robinvale Road, and Sea Lake-Robinvale Road," Mr Parcell said.

The Yelta, Robinvale and Boundary Bend sites complement recent coverage improvements in 20 sites across the region, including Birchip, Carwap, Charlton, Cohuna, Culgoa, Derby, Donald, Hattah, Hopetoun, Inglewood, Mittyack, Mystic Park, Nandaly, Ouyen, Piangil, Sea Lake, Speed, Warracknabeal, Wedderburn, and Wycheproof.

"Optus has worked hard to improve mobile coverage in north western Victoria over the last 12 months and has plans to build even more new sites in Balranald, Lambert Island, Gunbower, Koondrook, and Durham Ox over the next few months.

"People living, working and travelling in the north west of Victoria now have a greater choice of GSM mobile network, as a result of improved coverage," Mr Parcell said.

Optus encourages customers to use a car kit and external antenna to ensure maximum coverage and safe driving when using a mobile phone.

Note to the editor: coverage map for north western Victoria attached.

Optus Mobile coverage map for north western Victoria demonstrating recent coverage enhancements, and proposed future improvements.

For further information on Optus visit: www.optus.com.au

For more information:
Cathy Knezevic
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 9342 5302
Mobile: 0402 350 747