OPTUS TEXT MESSAGES TO CHIME LOUDER THAN EVER WITH OVER 64 MILLION PREDICTED TO BE SENT ON CHRISTMAS DAY

This holiday season, Optus predicts its customers will send over 64 million text messages and make close to 41 million mobile phone calls on Christmas Day 2010.

Optus customers are also predicted to make over 35 million fixed line calls and to spend over five million minutes on the phone to friends and family overseas on Christmas Day, with the three most popular countries expected to be the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Vietnam.

Gavin Williams, Marketing Director of Optus Consumer said, “Now more than ever, Australians are using mobile technology to help make their lives easier, especially during the busy holiday period. Not only are our customers using mobile devices to keep in touch with family and friends they are now reaching for their mobile to download their favourite Christmas carols, search for recipes, buy last minute gifts or find their way to Christmas lunch.

“Our customers can be confident that we have been working hard throughout the year to ensure our network is resilient to provide optimal coverage throughout the holiday period. In 2010, Optus has invested significantly in its mobile network to ensure our 8.9 million mobile customers can enjoy their mobile devices. This includes upgrades to many popular holiday destinations around Australia in preparation for the holiday season.

“We also have hundreds of Optus staff working around the clock to support our customers, keep our networks running smoothly and ensure family and friends can keep in touch over the holiday period.

“We also expect many of our customers to be connecting with their friends and loved ones through social media this Christmas – which is a cost effective way of making a connection, particularly considering that many customers on smartphone plans have social networking included as part of their plans,” Mr Williams said.

For a comparison of this year’s Christmas Day predictions to last year’s results, please refer to the table below:

Media contact:
Optus Corporate Affairs
(02) 8082 7850