The Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF) has commenced service on the Cable & Wireless Optus Aurora Digital Satellite platform and now radio listeners in the most remote areas of Australia can tune into a host of specialist radio channels.

The CBF is an independent non-profit funding body for community broadcasting. CBF now offers four radio channels via the Cable & Wireless Optus Aurora service - Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, BBC World Service Radio, National Indigenous Radio Service and Radio for The Print Handicapped.

Mr John Filmer, Director of Enterprise, Cable & Wireless Optus said the company was pleased to provide an innovative and cost effective digital satellite solution for CBF.

"The new CBF offerings are in good company with Cable & Wireless Optus Aurora as they join more than 25 different channels currently using the platform including the ABC and Satellite Music Australia," said Mr Filmer.

"The sheer number of channels on the platform means people in remote areas of Australia can now receive the widest possible choice of radio via satellite."

Mr John Martin, Vice President, CBF said the Foundation was delighted to be part of a platform being used by a number of other prominent broadcasters.

"We are confident that Cable & Wireless Optus Aurora is the right platform for our channels, providing us with a secure and reliable service for the future," said Mr Martin.

About Cable & Wireless Optus Aurora

Cable & Wireless Optus is Australia's leading satellite provider, delivering the majority of TV and

radio satellite services across the country. Cable & Wireless Optus satellites are a vital link in Australia's broadcast, voice and data communications network. They support an unparalleled range of services for organisations that need to deliver video and audio to Australian and international audiences.

Cable & Wireless Optus Aurora offers a suite of advanced digital satellite services that enables the simultaneous broadcast of TV, audio and data to an extensive number of sites throughout Australia.

As well as providing remote area TV and audio services, Cable & Wireless Optus Aurora also delivers the next generation of digital business communications and entertainment. It enables the combined live reception of TV, audio and data at locations throughout Australia via a small satellite dish and digital decoder.

In the future these channels may include advanced services such as high-speed data and interactive TV applications - for example, on-line ticket ordering.

For further information about Cable & Wireless Optus Aurora visit http://enterprise.optus.com.au or phone 1300 305 937.

For more about CBF visit www.cbf.com.au.

For more information:
Melissa Favero
Cable & Wireless Optus
Phone: 02 9342 5030
Mobile: 0412 001 487
Email: melissa.favero@cwo.com.au