OPTUS SAYS YES TO NEW REGIONAL NETWORK - OWNED BY ALL AUSTRALIANS

Optus is strongly supportive of the Australian Government's bold plans for the National Broadband Network (NBN) and is ready to assist the Government in achieving its vision.

In particular, Optus views the recently announced $250 million Regional Backbone Blackspots Program (RBBP) as a critical first step in enabling the NBN build.

Therefore the Optus group of companies are pleased to announce that they have lodged a range of bids in response to the Commonwealth Government's request for tenders (RFT) for the RBBP.

The bids address all of the key locations specified by the Commonwealth in its RFT including Darwin, Emerald, Longreach, the South West Gippsland Coast, Victor Harbor and Geraldton.

The bids would see Optus build and then operate the new backhaul network for a period of at least five years on behalf of the Government. The network itself would be owned by all Australians, and bring the benefits of competitive backhaul services (most notably, far more competition in the retail telecommunications market) to up to 575,000 people in regional and rural Australia for the first time in the nation's history.

The bids are now open for consideration by the Government, and Optus looks forward to the next stage in the process.

"Optus is keen to lead the deployment of new competitive infrastructure to residential and business customers in many parts of Australia that have suffered from limited or no choice for far too long," Maha Krishnapillai, Optus Director, Government and Corporate Affairs said.

"Optus has extensive experience in building and operating carrier backhaul infrastructure. In addition, as an experienced wholesaler of fibre optic links, Optus has the capability to provide capacity between key interconnect points at the boundaries of the new network.

"These credentials demonstrate Optus' proven backhaul track record and our ability to build and operate the new network effectively," Mr Krishnapillai said.

Media contact:
Melissa Favero
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 8082 7850