OPTUS WHOLESALE BRINGS 3G MOBILE TO MORE AUSTRALIAN CONSUMERS

Optus has launched 3G mobile to the Australian wholesale market.

Optus has signed up M2 Telecommunications Group to sell 3G services. M2 will sell the new service via their existing base of small-to-medium business service providers and to their direct customers.

David Katz, Acting Managing Director Optus Wholesale, said this was an exciting time for Optus Wholesale as the group built on the momentum of 2006 and kicked off the New Year by bringing 3G mobile services to the wholesale market.

"In the fourth quarter of 2006 we delivered prepaid mobile services to the Wholesale market and can now complement that with 3G," Mr Katz said.

"M2 are the first company to take up Optus Wholesale's 3G services and we are pleased they will be followed shortly by others in the market including People Telecom."

The first two products Optus is selling over Wholesale 3G are video calling and Optus Wireless Connect.

"Optus Wireless Connect offers seamless roaming over WiFi, Optus 3G and Optus GSM - selecting the best network available to the customer. It also offers roaming, both nationally and internationally, through the Bridge Mobile Alliance.

"Other 3G services, such as Mobile Instant Messenger and the Optus Zoo portal, are also available," Mr Katz said.

In 2006 Optus Wholesale reinforced its commitment to the wholesale market when it successfully launched its Wholesale Residential Broadband and Telephony service over copper on the unbundled local loop.

The introduction of 3G Optus Wholesale maintains this commitment and continues Optus' tradition of delivering more innovative services to our partners.

"Launching 3G further compliments Optus' position as the only wholesale provider in Australia with the capability of delivering a full product suite, across voice, mobile, broadband and satellite. As such, we are best positioned to help our customers take advantage of the rapidly emerging mobile convergence sweeping the industry," Mr Katz said.

Note to Editor

• The Optus 3G network was launched to consumer and corporate customers in November 2005 and is now available in metropolitan areas of Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Geelong, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Adelaide and Perth.
• Optus' GSM network covers more than 650,000 square kilometres of landmass, has over 570 WiFi zones and reaches more than 96 per cent of the Australian population.

Media contact:
Luisa Ford
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 9342 5045