An Optus spokesperson said:

• Optus continues to work closely with the relevant authorities to restore mobile services as quickly as possible to the affected areas of Kinglake, Gippsland and Marysville to Alexandra
• As of Friday 13 February 2009 Optus mobile service at Flowerdale and Wandong sites were restored via satellite this afternoon
• Overnight technicians restored a further six mobile base stations. The Optus mobile network is now available with coverage from Marysville through to Yarck. Mobile infrastructure in these areas has either been damaged or was not able to be accessed due to ongoing fire activity
• New infrastructure was added in:
  o Marysville Township
  o Marysville
  o Taggerty
  o Buxton
  o Yarck
• On Thursday 12 February the site of Alexandra which has been operating via a satellite mobile base station connection was reconnected by radio transmission
• Optus continues to assist our customers on the ground with access to prepaid mobile phones, a generator to assist charging mobile phones and a supply of different brand mobile phone chargers to give away
• Optus staff, to assist our customers, are at the following locations:
  o Whittlesea Community Centre
  o Yes Optus Traralgon and Traralgon relief centre
  o Sound on Wheels premium dealer in Morwell
  o Yarra Glen Relief Centre - Healesville Memorial Centre
  o Diamond Creek Relief Centre
• 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
• Customers should call 1300 300 937 for further assistance.

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