OPTUS CONNECTS THE GOLD COAST 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

• Optus to deliver digital connectivity for 6,600 athletes and team officials, and 3,500 media.
• Optus to provide infrastructure and managed services supporting more than 11,000 users across Gold Coast, Cairns, Townsville and Brisbane.

Optus has today announced a strategic partnership with the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) and Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) that will see it become the official support network of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) and provide the event’s communications infrastructure and managed services.

The partnership also includes sponsorship of the Australian Commonwealth Games team that will compete against 69 other Commonwealth nations across 18 sports during the Games, and offers Optus a range of benefits including event branding and activation opportunities throughout GC2018.

As part of this partnership, Optus will deliver high speed telecommunications infrastructure to more than 30 Commonwealth Games venues, as well as the design and implementation of the Games Network enabling connectivity for broadcasting, telephony, internet and cloud services across all Games venues.

Optus will provide high speed resilient video and audio services at 23 broadcast locations to enable content captured on site to be distributed globally via more than 3,500 accredited representatives, reaching an estimated audience of more than 1.5 billion people over the course of the Games.

Optus will be providing a managed IP telephony solution for more than 2,200 on-site employees, a contact centre solution and 4G mobile services to allow GOLDOC to communicate and collaborate both in the planning period and during the event which will take place across the Gold Coast, Cairns, Townsville, and Brisbane.

John Paitaridis, Managing Director Optus Business, said “Optus will be delivering an integrated communications solution to one of the biggest global events in 2018 and we are proud to be the official support network of the Australian Commonwealth Games Team.”

“A project of this scale, size and importance requires fast and reliable communications. Optus is delighted to have been selected via the competitive process as the strategic partner for the delivery of high speed connectivity and managed ICT services to the Commonwealth Games venues, enabling the GOLDOC team to work collaboratively at locations up to 1700km apart to deliver a world class sporting event.

“Optus Business will deliver end to end network and ICT services to drive productivity and efficiencies in costs and support, demonstrating Optus’ strength as a leading ICT partner for enterprise and government organisations of all sizes.

“We invest billions in our network and technology infrastructure across Australia every year, and we are committed to leveraging the breadth of our network and enterprise services to deliver an amazing experience for athletes, volunteers, media and fans at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games,” Mr Paitaridis said.

GOLDOC Chairman, Peter Beattie AC said Optus’ experience in delivering mission critical communications infrastructure and complex ICT projects were absolutely vital to delivering a great Games in 2018.

“With 6,600 athletes and team officials in and around the field, track or pool, and 3,500 media covering all events, Optus technology will support the global broadcast and provide Games communications for every heat, match and final across every event at GC2018,” Mr Beattie said.

“Our technology platform is complex, delivering a range of services across a large number of stakeholders and venues. It needs to be delivered on time, take advantage of efficient solutions and be consistently reliable.

“Optus understands the unique nature of delivering major events with multiple stakeholders to deliver innovative and dependable technology and communications solutions.”

“Having a well-known national brand like Optus join the GC2018 Sponsor Family with just over a year until the Games provides further support to the ever-growing commercial program,” Mr Beattie said.

GOLDOC Chief Executive Officer, Mark Peters said, “With just over one year to go our focus is firmly on how we deliver a great Games and having the right partnerships in place to deliver a seamless experience for our stakeholders.

“Having an experienced partner and big brand like Optus on board allows GOLDOC to focus on planning and delivering an unforgettable global Games for spectators, broadcasters, working media and a cumulative television audience of up to 1.5 billion.

“This is one of the largest pieces of Games overlay with 90 Optus technicians to be working across 30 Games locations including the 18 competition venues during GC2018,” Mr. Peters said.

CGA Chief Executive Officer, Craig Phillips said it is important for our athletes to be supported by the best of corporate Australia as they strive to achieve their best.

“Commonwealth Games Australia welcomes Optus to the Team sponsor family.  We know with Optus’ support our athletes will achieve their dreams.”

Media contacts:

Optus Corporate Affairs
Lindsay Clement-Meehan
(02) 8082 7850
media@optus.com.au

GOLDOC
Cobey Moore
0447 109 772
Cobey.moore@goldoc.com