Optus today announced a major deal with Strathfield Group Limited - breaking Telstra's exclusive relationship with Australia's largest independent retailer of mobile communications.
Allen Lew, Managing Director, Optus Mobile said the deal with the Australia-wide chain was a win for Optus and consumers.
"This deal breaks Telstra's exclusive arrangement with Strathfield, allowing us to challenge Telstra's dominance in certain retail channels and significantly open up competition and choice for consumers."
Under the terms of the five-year deal, Optus contract and prepaid mobile phones, Optus long distance and Optus internet services will be now be available in 111 Strathfield outlets.
"One of the major benefits of this deal is it lets us further open-up the potentially high value small and medium enterprise (SME) market," Mr Lew said.
"Optus has been aggressively targeting SME's with our special business rate plans, now we can tap into Strathfield's strong profile among this market to further drive our offers direct to customers.
"The 'strip' locations of Strathfield's outlets perfectly complements our strong shopping centre presence. We can now target consumers who typically prefer to shop at strip locations," Mr Lew said.
"Busy business people, such as tradespeople, really do prefer 'to drive in and jive away'. They want to buy a mobile, have a car kit installed on-the-spot and get back to business quickly."
Mr Andrew Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of the Strathfield Group Limited said the deal would help boost competition and make its customers big winners.
"We are delighted to welcome Optus onto our shop floor. Just as we offer a full range of electronic equipment, this deal with Optus helps us further expand our range of mobile services and gives our customers even more choice," Mr Kelly said.
According to Mr Lew, Strathfield will become Optus's second largest distribution channel after its Optus World franchise stores.
"Strathfield is an ideal fit with our channel strategy of getting Optus products to people when and where they want them.
"Our strength is in the diversity of our distribution, from shopping centres to suburban strips, specialty stores to service stations. We currently have over 6,000 outlets selling various Optus products to different market segments," Mr Lew said.
Optus products including mobile phones, mobile recharge, long distance and internet products will be available in most Strathfield stores within the next two weeks.
About Strathfield Group Limited (Strathfield): Strathfield is the largest independent retailer of mobile communications products in Australia, with 111 outlets nationwide. Strathfield offers a large range of products including home entertainment and home office products, mobile telephones, car entertainment and security products, and communication systems. Strathfield is the leader of in-car entertainment, and provides quality 'on-the-spot' installation services though its outlets. Strathfield is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX:SRA) and trades as Strathfield Car Radios, Strathfield Connect and Brisbane Car Sound.
About Optus Mobile - retail outlets: Optus has over 3.9 million mobile customers. In addition to its direct channel, Optus sells its mobile products and service through over 6,000 different outlets nationwide. Optus has over 145 Optus World stores. Optus Dealers include C2ONE, Ryda, Network Communications, All Phones and Telechoice. In addition to Strathfield Car Radios, other retailers of various Optus products include; Harvey Norman, Tandy and David Jones. Prepaid phones and recharge card are also available in Australia Post, Coles Myer, Kmart and various small retail outlets. Consumers can also recharge cards their prepaid card from Westpac and ANZ ATMS.
For more information contact: Louise Ingram Optus Public Affairs Tel: (02) 9342 5042
Andrew Kelly CEO Strathfield Group Limited Tel: 0422 222 111
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