OPTUS PREDICTS RECORD MOBILE TRAFFIC THIS NEW YEAR'S EVE

Aussies are expected to turn to their mobile phones in record-breaking numbers to call and text their friends and loved ones as they usher in the New Year.

Optus predicts its customers will send as many as 70 million SMS messages and make up to 62 million mobile calls this New Year’s Eve* – an increase of up to 30 per cent and 15 per cent respectively compared to the same 24 hour period in 2009 which saw a total of 53.8 million texts and 54.5 million mobile calls. On Christmas Day 2010, Optus customers sent more than 55 million text messages, and made more than 34 million mobile calls and 32 million fixed line calls.

Mark Brunton, Optus Consumer Sales Director said, “We expect to see record-breaking mobile traffic this New Year’s Eve as people call and text their friends and family to share the celebration. With the increasing popularity of smartphones, more people are also likely to connect this New Year’s Eve via social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter on a large scale.

“Last year, mobile calls were still the number one way in which our customers were catching up with people to celebrate the New Year. This year, we’re projecting that SMS will increase by as much as 30 per cent and overtake mobile calls as the most popular way to usher in the New Year.

“New Year’s Eve is also a period where many people are contacting loved ones overseas, with India traditionally being the most popular destination, followed by Vietnam and the UK.

“Optus has doubled the capacity of our radio access network in many of the main New Year’s Eve celebration locations in capital cities such as the Sydney Harbour Foreshore, South Bank in Melbourne CBD and Brisbane South Bank to help manage the influx of mobile traffic, and staff will be working around the clock to support our customers and keep our networks running as smoothly as possible,” Mr Brunton said.

New Year’s Eve Forecast
*Note to editors: This represents the 24 hour period from 3pm on New Years Eve (31 December 2010) to 3pm on New Years Day (1 January 2011) AEST.

Media contact:
Kasia Ciszak
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 8082 7850