OPTUS WINS 20,000 BUSINESS SERVICES THROUGH MNP

Optus has won more than 160 new corporate and government mobile fleets since the introduction of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in September last year.

Peter Acheson, Director Business Mobile for Optus said, "We have just completed a review after the first year of MNP. It shows that MNP has been a clear winner for Optus in the business market with Optus taking revenue share from all its rivals.

"Since MNP, we have won more than 20,000 new mobile services with an average fleet size of 200 mobiles.

"We have also won over 70 smaller corporates with an average fleet size of between 5-20 mobiles.

"We are also re-signing customers, over 150 contracts since MNP, many of which include additional mobile business as organisations move to consolidate their fleets," he said.

"Collectively these accounts represent 20,000 mobiles and total revenue of around $30 million."

Recent new business wins and re-signings for Optus include corporate mobile fleets with Program Maintenance Services, Flinders University, the University of Adelaide, AAMI, Pacific Brands Holdings, Hills Industries Limited, Queensland Cement and Lime (CSL), NSW Department of Sport & Recreation and the Queensland Department of Primary Industries.

"We are porting more customers in than out and more significantly, we are gaining higher-value customers. The average value of customers porting-in is 20 per cent higher than those leaving us.

"Our mobile business revenue grew by 22 per cent at the end of June this year compared to the previous quarter - a significant achievement in a highly competitive industry," Mr Acheson said.

"This means business mobile customers now represent 21 per cent of the revenue in our Mobile division up from 17 per cent from the last quarter." In addition to standard voice services, Optus is also working with a number of organisations on innovative data services ranging from SMS-based solutions to wireless IP services.

"Fuji Xerox Australia has just completed the rollout of Australia's largest GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) mobile fleet of over 400 mobiles using our network," he said.

Mr Acheson said businesses are demanding more from their carriers.

"Today's business people want commitment on issues such as customer service, coverage, delivery times, superior account management and technical excellence - as well as price.

"As a full service carrier Optus is well positioned to deliver on all these areas and provide differentiated services to suit the needs of each organisation," he said.

These recent wins build on mobile business wins announced previously including IBM, HSBC and the TOWER group.

For more information:
Stephen Woodhill
Optus Corporate Affairs
Phone: 02 9342 7850