OPTUS SPENDS $90 MILLION MORE ON MOBILES IN VICTORIA

Optus today announced that it was significantly expanding mobile coverage across Victoria -spending more than $90 million in new mobile phone base stations by 2004.

The investment comes as Optus announces a significantly increased commitment to Victoria, appointing Robert Parcell as Director, Victoria.

Optus' investment of 220 base stations is designed to give Optus a great digital GSM network in Victoria.

In a demonstration of Optus' increased commitment to both regional and metropolitan Victoria, over 58 per cent of the investment will go to regional areas. This will bring the total number of Optus base stations in the State to well over 1,000 next year.

Mr Parcell said Victoria was important to Optus' business strategy and that additional network investment opportunities within the State would be explored.

"We will continue to work with the Victorian Government to focus our efforts on the areas where Victorians need services," Mr Parcell said.

"Optus is rolling out state-of-the-art networks and products throughout Victoria - including Voice over DSL, satellite broadband and regional data networks like ConnectPlus. In addition, as part of Optus' recently launched national wireless broadband service, Optus has established several 'hotspots' in Victoria (WiFi)."

WiFi offers higher data speeds giving users in specific locations or hotspots the ability to download larger chunks of information faster using laptops or PDAs.

"These new initiatives will assist to position Victoria as a global centre for information technology and communications excellence," Mr Parcell said.

"Optus is in a prime position to deliver competition and be an alternative to the incumbent. This competition brings great advantage to the businesses and people of Victoria.

"With legacy infrastructure almost exhausted, Victoria will reap the benefits of implementing new technologies from Optus, rather than simply relying on the incumbent."

Mr Parcell said Optus was focussed and committed to increasing its market share by 2006 with corporate and Government partnerships.

"We plan to increase our market share to 20 per cent over the next three years and we are well on the way to doing that. We have had some major Victorian wins recently in the corporate and Government sectors including Vic Roads, DaimlerChrysler and Medibank Private," he said.

Optus has over 2,000 staff in Victoria and plans to inject more highly skilled jobs over the coming years.

Media contact:
Luisa Ford
Optus Corporate Affairs
Phone: +61 2 9342 5045