Optus announced today that its OptusNet broadband customer base had expanded to 185,000 -marking a 36,000 increase in subscriber numbers since 31 March 2004.

OptusNet Cable customers now total 162,000 and OptusNet DSL customers total 23,000.

Scott Lorson, Acting Managing Director of Consumer and Multimedia said Optus has experienced unprecedented call volumes and sales in response to its broadband campaigns.

"We are pleased to have reached this significant milestone in such a short timeframe and we expect the momentum to continue.

"Optus is playing a major role in the expansion of the broadband market in Australia by increasing the level of competition," Mr Lorson said.

"Our entry into residential DSL highlights Optus at its best. We have brought innovation and real choice."

OptusNet DSL was launched on 1 March 2004 and the product is available in metropolitan and many regional areas of NSW, ACT, QLD, VIC, SA and WA. OptusNet DSL triples Optus' broadband footprint.

To continue the momentum, Optus also announced several plan and pricing changes today.

From Monday, 5 July a new entry-level DSL plan will be available for a flat bundled rate of just $29.95 a month. This plan will have 200mb of data and will offer a downstream speed of up to 256kpbs.

The $29.95 entry-level plan will also be available on Optus' cable service. Or for just $10 more a month customers can double their DSL speed and data allowance. The OptusNet Starter 400mb plan will be available for a flat bundled rate of $39.95 a month with 400mb of data and speeds of up to 512kpbs which is 15 times faster than a standard dial up
service*.

All existing customers on the OptusNet DSL and Cable 300mb Starter packages will be automatically upgraded to the 400mb plan, gaining 100 additional mbs for no extra cost.

"The opportunity for customers looking for an entry plan to be able to double-up both the speed of their DSL broadband service and data downloads for an additional $10 each month highlights Optus' credentials to continue to innovate, challenge the norm and offer customers excellent value for money.

"Unlike many of our competitors, there are no hidden catches with the entry-level plans. As with Optus' other plans, customers won't be charged for exceeding their data limits and they will receive the same generous bundled benefits when they take Optus telephony," Mr Lorson said.

The success of OptusNet Broadband to date is due to its competitive pricing across all plans, excellent value bundled phone and broadband packages and flat monthly rates - providing customers with price surety.

Value-added offers including a free spam filter and increased availability in 133 Optus World stores make the service even more appealing.

According to the Nielsen/NetRatings Online Customer Association Index in April 2004, the OptusNet broadband portal continues to enjoy the highest rates of customer interaction of any of the ISP portals. This is further evidence that customers continue to respond to Optus' simple combination of personalisation and information.

For more information:
Melissa Favero
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 9342 5030

*Comparison based on the maximum speed of 28.8kbps modem on Australian hosted sites. Speed can vary. Not applicable if your service is speed limited.

**Unlimited downloads. Speed limiting applies after 12gb on Unlimited plan and after 20gb on Unlimited Pro Plan.

OptusNet DSL product highlights:

• OptusNet DSL is available in metropolitan and many regional areas of NSW, ACT, QLD, VIC, SA and WA
• Flat monthly pricing with no financial penalties for excess downloads
• Includes 512kpbs downstream speed for most plans
• NEW entry level Basic plan at 256kbps downstream speed
• 12-month contracts
• Uploads are not counted towards customers' data usage - meaning the included download allowance goes further
• Residential bundled benefits - up to 100 free local calls, discounts on installation
• Easy self installation from $149
• Plans from $29.95 a month when taken with Optus home phone
• Existing OptusNet Dial up customers moving to OptusNet DSL can keep their existing login and email address