OPTUS EXTENDS CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PACKAGE FOR CYCLONE YASI

Optus announced today the extension of its Customer Assistance Package to customers who have been affected by Cyclone Yasi. This mirrors similar packages provided to flood affected customers in Queensland, Northern NSW and Victoria.

The key features of Optus' Customer Assistance Package include support for customers that experience financial hardship as a result of Cyclone Yasi.

Measures included in the package are:

• Extended payment period: Customers experiencing financial hardship as a result of Cyclone Yasi can arrange special extended payment timeframes for their Optus bill by contacting the Optus Financial Services team. In addition, in cases of extreme hardship as a result of property destruction due to Cyclone Yasi, Optus will consider waiving a customer's bill on a case by case basis.
• Fees waiver: Customers that incur fees for late payments, service suspension or early service termination as a result of Cyclone Yasi can request to have their penalty fee waived. No reconnection fees will apply for customers that wish to reconnect their services within 12 months.
• Free fixed-to-mobile and fixed-to-fixed call diversion: Optus engineers are working hard to minimise impact on the Optus network in the cyclone affected areas. Should customers experience a disruption to their Optus fixed home phone service, Optus offers free call diversion to any mobile or fixed number of their choice.

Optus has moved a number of resources to North Queensland as part of our response. This includes utilising our satellite infrastructure via a portable satellite base station as well as additional power generators and spare parts that can be used to restore any damaged infrastructure.

Optus will also be making available its portable Internet Kiosk and Customer Service Trailer to provide free communication services for the local community to keep in touch with family and friends. These facilities include satellite phones for free voice calls and laptop computers with free internet access.

There will also be mobile phone chargers within the Customer Service Trailer so people can recharge their phones in the event of power outages. These facilities are currently in Townsville and will be moved to the most appropriate locations based on consultation with local emergency services.

Optus customer service centres will provide assistance for our residential and small business customers. Fault and technical support is available 24/7.

For Optus Customer Care please contact 133 937
Small Business customers can contact 133 343.

Optus will provide regular updates to its customer via the media, its website and social network channels.
www.optus.com.au/cyclone
www.twitter.com/optus
www.facebook.com/optus

Media contacts:
Simone Bergholcs/ Josh Drayton
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 80827850