CABLE & WIRELESS OPTUS LEADS AUSTRALIA IN VOIP TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Cable & Wireless Optus announced today that it has joined with the world's largest Internet telephony carrier - ITXC Corp - to further the rollout of the Optus network onto its Voice Over Internet (VoIP) Protocol network.

The partnership follows successful trials conducted in 1999 to ensure the engineering, commercial and operational viability of the VoIP network. The partnership with ITXC Corp allows Cable & Wireless Optus to increase the reach of its worldwide network ahead of other Asia/ pacific telecommunications carriers.

"Cable & Wireless Optus is committed to bringing leading edge technology to the Australian telecommunications sector," said Mr Stephen Beynon, Managing Director Data & Business Services.

"The solid combination of ITXC's network, ITXC.net, and its experience in routing calls over the public Internet, together with the extensive trans-Pacific & Asian IP network constructed by Cable & Wireless Optus puts us ahead of the pack in the competitive VoIP market," said Mr Beynon.

The deal enables Cable & Wireless Optus to expand its footprint in Australia while sending more traffic out of Australia over ITXC.net to 258 IP PoPs in 151 cities in 60 countries.

The added benefits of this VoIP partnership are reduced internet transport costs while carrier grade quality is assured through the combination of Optus' stringent performance systems and ITXC's patent-pending BestValue Routing^TM technology.

Cable & Wireless Optus' long term international strategy is to continue deployment of its international IP network which, allied to the Cable & Wireless plc global IP network, builds a solid foundation for lower cost transport for international voice/data services.

For business and government organisations in Australia, Optus will be offering VoIP services by the end of 2000.

"The utilisation of this revolutionary means of voice/data transport consolidates Cable & Wireless Optus expertise, reputation, and future growth in the provision of data and business services as we move towards a more convergent era of telecommunications delivery," said Mr Beynon.

For more information:
Louise Ingram
Cable & Wireless Optus
Tel: 02 9342 5042