OPTUS BUSINESS ANNOUNCES NEW OPTUS EVOLVE ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

After two years of transformation, Optus Business is positioned for rapid growth in the Australian business communications market

Optus Business announced today its new advanced communications network, Optus Evolve™, a next generation IP network that places Optus at the forefront of converged network solutions, will be available to customers from October 2007.

John Simon, Managing Director Optus Business, said that Optus Evolve will change the way Australian businesses communicate.

"The move to Optus Evolve means customers can replace diverse legacy networks with a single, easy-to-manage network that provides a platform for current and future converged applications."

"It delivers more flexibility, lower total cost of ownership as well as greater visibility and control. Not only is Optus Evolve an advanced network, it also offers simplified billing, transparent pricing, provisioning with visible milestones and a better overall experience," Mr Simon said.

Optus' annual IP research has shown that almost 80 per cent of businesses say they have plans to embrace convergence solutions or have already begun implementing a converged solution.

One in five businesses are now in the process of upgrading network and systems infrastructure to support the additional bandwidth and latency requirements of convergent applications. Additionally, 92 per cent of businesses provide network access to home workers via IP virtual private networks (VPNs), enabling them to access enterprise applications such as workforce automation.*

"We've been listening to our customers to better understand their communication needs and the issues that they currently face. Our research has indicated that customers want their telecommunications provider to be a strategic partner for their business, not just a provider of services."

"We need to offer future-proof, scalable networks that grow with our customers' communications needs. We believe that Optus Evolve provides a platform for all the innovations of tomorrow today, and offers one of the most value-driven, agile and adaptable networks available in the market," Mr Simon said.

"Optus Business believes the role of telecommunications providers is to look beyond the network and understand all the elements that provide value."

"Our customers are looking to us to provide innovations that will help them transform their business through enhanced communications – they want fast and reliable services for their workforce – whether they’re in the office, at home or on the road."

"They also want us to be easy to deal with and to provide flexibility and greater value for money. Optus Evolve will deliver this value both now and in the future," Mr Simon said.

About Optus Evolve
Optus Evolve is a new advanced communications network designed to help business adapt to the converged communications landscape of the future. Built from the ground up, it features a new simple, modular, end-to-end IP network with streamlined backend processes and greater bandwidths than previously available.

It allows Optus customers to replace legacy networks with a single, easy-to-manage network platform and delivers outstanding business efficiencies, including faster data speeds and simpler network management.

Businesses will be able to reap a considerable competitive edge by making interaction between sites faster and more cost-effective, streamlining IT administration and giving staff secure off-site access to core applications and data.

The offering will also deliver greater flexibility of choice in order for customers to balance the need for bandwidth with features and affordability.

About Optus Business
Optus Business is a leading provider of telecommunications and ICT solutions to hundreds of corporate and government clients in Australia. Aimed at tailoring solutions for organisations with 200 or more employees, Optus Business provides IP network connectivity and options that include mobile, IP converged solutions, information communications technology, voice, data, IP and satellite.

*Optus IP Index 2006

Media contact:
Melissa Clare
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 8082 9021