OPTUS BUSINESS AND CISCO JOIN FORCES TO CREATE DISRUPTIVE CAPABILITIES FOR AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT

Optus Business and Cisco today announced plans to accelerate the development of new technological capabilities to support Australian business and government to become more agile in the innovation economy.  The two companies are aiming to invest $12 million over three years in the local development of capabilities focused on cyber security, cloud, the Internet of Things (IoT) and the network of the future.

John Paitaridis, Managing Director, Optus Business, said “A national focus on becoming an innovation economy challenges us to constantly raise the bar and do things that have not been done before, more quickly than ever before.”

“Many of the services and capabilities our economy will need tomorrow don’t exist today. This alliance with Cisco bolsters our commitment to bridge this innovation gap for business and government, to help them navigate a complex and evolving technology landscape.”

Building on the strong partnership between Optus Business and Cisco – which includes Optus Business being named as Cisco’s 2015 Australian Partner of the Year – the co-investment is designed to prototype, develop and launch new capabilities. Critically, Optus Business and Cisco will co-create these capabilities in collaboration with customers.

Ken Boal, VP, Cisco Systems Australia New Zealand, said “Digitisation is redefining industries and economies.  This alliance will enable Australian business and government to take advantage of cutting edge IoT capabilities to deliver greater insight, and create secure digital platforms to enable rapid innovation.”

“To stay ahead of the curve, businesses and government need to invest in start-ups and innovation centres,” Mr Paitaridis said.

“Innovation and responding to change are critical challenges for all Australian businesses and enterprises, to ensure they adapt to changing customer needs and market forces. We are demonstrating our commitment through our investment with Cisco, and in Sydney-based fintech start-up hub Fishburners and Stone & Chalk.”

Optus and Cisco signed a Letter of Intent to establish the fund at the Cisco Global Partner Summit held in San Diego earlier this month.  Last week at the Cisco Live event in Melbourne, Optus Business secured Cisco Australia and New Zealand awards for Cloud Solution Excellence Partner of the Year, Services Partner of the Year and Community Contribution Award of the Year.

Media contact:

Gabrielle Crittenden

Optus Corporate Affairs

(02) 8082 7850

media@optus.com.au