Optus has reaffirmed its position in the mobile market with 135 post-paid and 20 pre-paid international roaming destinations.

With the introduction of pre-paid international roaming, Optus customers can for the first time take their mobile phones overseas, maintain the same number they use in Australia and keep in contact with friends and family.

"Pre-paid customers account for 55 per cent of Optus' 6.4 million mobile phone subscribers and we are pleased that they will now enjoy coverage in more international destinations than with any other Australian carrier," Chris Lane, Group Director, Products and Delivery, Optus Consumer said.

"Optus customers travelling overseas will now be able to make and receive calls, access voicemail, check available credit, send and receive SMS, browse Optus Zoo and top up their call credit - just as they would in Australia," Mr Lane said.

International roaming has become even more prominent with the introduction of 3G and the ability for consumers to share photos and make video calls to friends and family while overseas.

For instance, as part of an international roaming agreement with T-Mobile in Germany, Optus customers will be able to keep in touch with their family and friends while in Germany for the Soccer World Cup. Those with 3G phones will also be able to make video calls back home and access mobile content at high speeds while in Germany.

Optus' 20 pre-paid international roaming destinations include: UK, USA, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland, Greece, Norway, France, Turkey, Brazil, Portugal, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Singapore, Fiji, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India.

With the ability to use 2G and 3G data services in 74 and 22 destinations respectively, Optus business travellers can also access business critical information on the go and keep in contact with their office while overseas.

Optus has also recently launched preferential 2G and 3G data roaming rates for post-paid customers using their mobile phones on networks that form part of the Bridge Mobile Alliance. These networks include: AirTel Bharti (India), Telkomsel (Indonesia), Globe Telecom (Philippines), SingTel (Singapore), Maxis Communications (Malaysia), Taiwan Mobile (Taiwan) and HK CSL (Hong Kong). Customers using roaming data services will enjoy savings of 25 per cent on these partner networks.

New Optus mobile pre-paid customers are automatically activated for international roaming. Existing customers can activate roaming via Optus Zoo or by calling Optus customer service on 1300 300 937.

For more media information:
Tracy Monkman
Optus Corporate Affairs
Phone: +61 2 9342 5302