Optus launched today Australia's first public text message board in Federation Square, Melbourne.

Victorians and visitors to Melbourne's premier attraction can now have their text messages displayed up in lights on The Optus Message Board.

The Optus Message Board, featuring over 30 Light Emitted Diodes (LED) screens for scrolling displays of mobile text messages, has been set up on Federation Square's East Shard Building.

Rob Parcell, Optus Director Victoria, said The Optus Message Board was unique in Australia. The extension of the Short Messaging Service (SMS) into the public arena reflected the continuous popularity of SMS.

"Consumers and businesses have made use of SMS as a fast and effective way to stay in touch with their relatives and colleagues, now they can reach an even wider audience.

"With the festive season just around the corner, it is also an excellent time and opportunity for everyone to share their thoughts and well-wishes with visitors to Federation Square," Mr Parcell said.

The Optus Message Board is available 24/7, 365 days of the year. An SMS can be sent from all GSM and CDMA coverage areas in Australia and from any mobile network.

To have a message displayed on the Optus Message Board, simply send an SMS text message from a mobile phone to the number 19 767 333 (19 SMS FED). Each SMS sent costs 55 cents.

Consumers will receive a confirmation SMS to their phone verifying the location and colour of the message to correspond with the different scrolling LED screens.

The Optus Message Board is one of the many technology solutions Optus is providing to Federation Square as its exclusive telecommunications partner. Earlier this year, Optus Square 2 Square, one of the world's first interactive video conferencing units, was unveiled enabling visitors to communicate live with people in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Note to Editor:

• Terms & conditions are displayed on the East Shard of Federation Square.
• Nova radio station afternoon program, Nova Nites, will be at Federation Square on Saturday 19 November 2005 for a live broadcast with give-aways between 11.00am - 3.00pm.

Media contacts:
Simone Bergholcs
Optus Corporate Affairs
Phone: +61 2 9342 7846
Mobile: 0412 206 602