OPTUS ANSWERS TASMANIAN'S CALL FOR MORE CHOICE AND MOBILE SERVICES

The Premier of Tasmania, The Hon. Lara Giddings MP, today announced that Optus is making a $25 million investment in Tasmania, giving Tasmanians greater innovation, choice and competition for their mobile services.

Through Optus’ $25 million network investment in the Optus Open Network, Tasmania will see a three-fold increase in the number of mobile sites to over 100. Further Optus will increase the capacity of existing sites to bring improved voice and data services to the State.

Through this investment over 45 towns, for the first time, will have choice between network providers delivering more competition and more value to customers.

Optus’ investment will lead to an increase in Optus’ voice and data coverage to more than 96 per cent of the Tasmanian population including the expansion of the 3G mobile broadband service.

Optus will roll out more than 80 new mobile sites across Tasmania over the next 24 months, introducing coverage to a number of regional areas. From Stanley in the North West to Scottsdale in the North East; to Queenstown and Zeehan in the West; Dover in South West; and St Marys, Coles Bay and Swansea on the East Coast.

Optus’ existing mobile sites in Devonport, Hobart and Launceston are also undergoing a significant upgrade program to expand their capacity as part of the $25 million investment.

Speaking at today’s announcement, The Premier of Tasmania, Lara Giddings said, “Telecommunications have always been vital to keeping regional Tasmania connected and that has never been truer than in the age of mobile phones, tablet computers and email.

“This announcement will increase the choice for Tasmanians who need to stay connected for work, education, or simply to keep in touch with their family.”

The Premier was joined today by Günther Ottendorfer, Managing Director Optus Networks to launch this investment at the flagship ‘yes’ Optus Shop in Elizabeth Street Mall Hobart.

Mr Ottendorfer said Optus is making a significant investment in network infrastructure to bring telecommunications innovation, choice and competition to consumer and business customers right across Tasmania.

“With this significant expansion we will be the only mobile carrier capable of challenging the incumbent’s network reach in Tasmania. The extent of the investment and the ability to meet customer expectations has provided the Tasmanian Government with the confidence in choosing Optus for mobile and mobile data services.

“As more content rich applications start to become a part of customers lives, this investment will greatly expand this State’s access to these next generation data services. With products such as the recently launched Optus Smart Safe helping people get more out of their mobile device, these applications will become the life blood of smartphones, laptops, tablets and business devices, and our network is paramount to enabling access to these technologies.

“Optus will continue to increase its retail presence with over 170 outlets and continues to contribute to the employment in the State with the opening of ‘yes’ Optus Shops in Hobart and Launceston and another planned for Devonport later this year.

“We encourage the people of Tasmania to try the Optus Open Network and we are confident that the Optus coverage and sensational value plans will suit their needs,” Mr Ottendorfer said.

Media contacts:
Simone Bergholcs
Optus Corporate Affairs
P: (02) 8082 7850

Note to Editors: A selection of areas receiving Optus coverage includes:

• Irishtown, Stanley and Arthur River in the North West;
• Bridport, Lilydale and Scottsdale in the North East;
• Strahan, Queenstown and Zeehan in the West;
• Adventure Bay, Alonnah and Dover in South West; and
• St Marys, St Helens, Coles Bay and Swansea on the East Coast.

*Optus 3G dual band is part of the Open Network and refers to our UMTS2100MHz/900MHz coverage. 3G services available throughout the Open Network with compatible 3G dual band handset, subject to network availability. Outside these areas, only GSM/GPRS services where available (excludes video call or content streaming).

See www.optus.com.au/coverage for details.

The Tasmanian 3G Dual Band Coverage Map is below:

*Optus 3G dual band service is part of the Optus Open Network and refers to our UMTS2100MHz/900MHz coverage. Coverage available throughout the Optus Open Network in 3G dual band areas subject to network availability. You will require an Optus 3G dual band compatible device to access the 3G dual band coverage, throughout the Optus Open Network. A number of factors may affect coverage including location, demand on the network and use of external antenna. Please note that not all products and services are available in all locations within coverage areas. To check the availability of services in your area please call 133 937. When within a 3G dual band coverage area, your call or data session may also access the GSM/GPRS network If your handset supports GSM/GPRS 900MHz. Optus prepares Optus Open Network (mobile) coverage maps using the latest available data, tools and techniques to map Optus mobile coverage as accurately as possible. However as with any network based on radio technology, handset quality or local conditions may prevent or interfere with mobile reception within coverage areas. Eg. Inside concrete buildings, lift wells, basements, tunnels and road cuttings. High rise buildings may also suffer degradation of service and these maps are not an indication of in-building coverage. Our coverage maps may show planed rollout. These predictions are based on rollout schedules available at the time of publication and they may be subject to change without notice should circumstances require.