DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP GRANTS $143 MILLION CONTRACT TO OPTUS

Optus announced today that it was awarded a four-year contract with an estimated value of $143 million to supply the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) with telecommunications services, effective 1 July 2008.

The agreement sees Optus and its ICT Services subsidiary Alphawest implement a 'virtualised' contact centre solution and roll-out Voice over IP (VoIP) to more than 7,000 seats.

Optus, which has supplied telecommunications services to DIAC since 2001, was awarded the contract following a competitive tender. The winning proposal includes the transition of DIAC's Wide Area Network (WAN) services to Optus' new advanced IP network, Optus Evolve™, providing DIAC with a platform for converged communications.

Optus is also providing an on-site service delivery team to manage all aspects of the DIAC solution, as well as network monitoring and capacity planning.

Bob Correll, Deputy Secretary and Chief Information Officer, DIAC said, "The solution Optus proposed and is currently implementing will offer us the flexibility and scalability we require to meet changing business demands, both now and in the future."

John Simon, Managing Director, Optus Enterprise and Business Group said, "The extension of our relationship with DIAC beyond traditional telephony services is testament to the increased value we provide enterprise customers as they move towards truly converged communications.

"This agreement emphasises the combined strength of Optus' latest generation IP network, Optus Evolve, with Alphawest's ICT capability to drive increased productivity and collaboration through the use of IP technologies," Mr Simon said.

In addition, Optus is providing DIAC with a high level of service performance and reliability through the implementation of an extensive service level and reporting regime. Furthermore DIAC will take advantage of Optus' extensive 3G network to support its mobile fleet, including increased flexibility for its workforce through access to Optus Wireless Broadband.

Media contact:
Liz Greene
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 8082 1132