An Optus spokesperson said:

• We extend our sympathy to all the people across Victoria including Optus employees and their families who have been affected by this tragedy
• Optus continues to work closely with the relevant authorities to restore mobile services as quickly as possible to the affected areas in Victoria
• Optus has a large team of technicians working as quickly as possible to restore mobile services in the affected areas of Kinglake, Marysville, Alexandra and Gippsland via generators and temporary bases stations
• The full extent of damage to Optus facilities is still to be determined as access is restricted due to a number of ongoing active fires
• We continue to work with the relevant authorities to gain safe access to affected facilities where possible. A number of mobile sites have been restored over the past 24 hours
• As of Tuesday 10 February 2009 the Optus mobile network has 12 locations affected by the bushfires. These sites are either affected by power outage and/or fire damage
• Aerial surveillance was conducted of the Kinglake, Marysville area to verify the status of Optus' mobile infrastructure
• Optus has doubled mobile capacity at Whittlesea, the main staging area for the recovery effort in the Kinglake area
• To assist our customers who have lost property as a result of the bushfires, we will be "zerobilling" all their services for up to three months effective immediately
• Additionally, we will be offering free Mobile Prepaid handsets with $1000 value to Optus customers who have had either their Fixed or Mobile service disrupted.
• Optus staff are on the ground to assist customers at Whittlesea Community Centre, Traralgon Optus World store and at Alexandra Secondary College
• Customers should call 1300 300 937 for further assistance

Media contact:
Simone Bergholcs
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 8082 7850