OPTUS SELECTS HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES AS DSL PARTNER

Optus today announced it had selected Huawei Technologies as a key equipment vendor.

Huawei Technologies will provide Optus with DSL-based access equipment capable of supporting high-speed data, voice (including Voice over IP), video multicasting and business services.

"Huawei's Integrated Access Multiplex equipment will be installed in Telstra exchanges to service Optus Business customers with business-grade DSL," Bill Hope, Managing Director, Optus Networks said.

"The equipment will allow Optus to meet increasing demand at existing sites and grow new sites to serve customers including the Victorian Government's TPAMS initiative."

In addition, Huawei Technologies will support Optus should it commence a consumer DSL roll out.

"While we are well advanced in our plans for a consumer DSL roll out, there are still several milestones we need to pass," Mr Hope said.

"These include finalising an agreement with Telstra and achieving regulatory certainty on key issues. If these milestones are achieved, Optus will be in a position to roll out its own consumer DSL network, expanding infrastructure based competition both for consumers and business customers alike," he said.

"We are very happy that Optus has chosen Huawei as a partner to provide DSL equipment after very strict testing on our equipment,” Mr Guo Haiwei, Senior VP of Huawei Technologies said.

"In fact, Huawei has become number one in the world in the IP DSLAM market according to Infonetics, a US-based telecom consultancy group. Our DSLAM products have been deployed by more than 70 operators in over 40 countries in the world including China, France, Singapore, Thailand and Brazil."

Huawei Technologies was chosen because it provided the optimal combination of functionality and price to meet Optus" integrated requirements.

For more information:
Melissa Favero
Optus Corporate Affairs
Phone: +61 2 9342 5030