OPTUS CONTINUES INVESTMENT PUSH ACROSS TOOWOOMBA AND THE DARLING DOWNS

Multi-million dollar network investment, new small and medium business centre

Optus has committed further investment across the Darling Downs as part of a major push to boost competition and showcase its telecommunications and entertainment offerings, and business services in regional Australia.

Optus will commit $6 million for new mobile tower investment across Toowoomba and the Darling Downs with Clifford Gardens, Toowoomba CBD South and the Airport Bypass all to receive new towers, in addition to a further nine towers planned for the greater Darling Downs.[i]

Optus Chief Executive Officer Allen Lew said, “Regional centres need strong mobile networks to attract new business and industries to the region, open up national and international trade markets and in turn, support improved employment opportunities and the local economy.

“Importantly, a strong telecommunications network supports local industry and key services like healthcare and education, while providing competition and choice for residents, business and visitors to those communities.”

Optus has continued to prioritise regional Australia as part of its network investment program with more than $9.5 million invested in new towers across Toowoomba, the broader Darling Downs and Warwick over the past 12 months.

“As part of our commitment to the bush, our investment has yielded 20 new mobile sites and infrastructure upgrades on a further five sites across the area,” Mr Lew said.

“I am proud of the ever growing Optus network and challenge regional Australians to put it to the test for themselves.

“Try our network and if you’re not satisfied, simply contact us within 30 days to cancel the service, return the handset in good working order, and there won’t be any plan cancellation fees,” Mr Lew said.

New Optus Business Centre to open

In addition to improved network density and coverage, Mr Lew said small and medium business operators across Toowoomba would not be overlooked with a new dedicated Optus Business Centre planned next month.

“There are more than two million small businesses nationally, with over 4,000 across the greater Toowoomba region, we understand that they have very specific telecommunications and information technology needs.

“As such, I am delighted to announce that SMBs across the city and beyond will have access to a dedicated local team to support them lead by Craig Southam. Our new Toowoomba Optus Business Centre will provide the support that local SMBs need to keep the business running efficiently.”

Mr Lew said Optus would continue to challenge for customers in regional Australia and remote and holiday communities following a commitment to invest $1 billion in regional Australia announced in July.

“Toowoomba and surrounds are the gateway to western and central Queensland. Over the next year Optus will switch on an additional 13 new mobile[ii] sites across western Queensland.”

Optus has two retail stores in Toowoomba, located at Shop 106, Grand Central Shopping Centre, Corner of Margaret and Dent Street, Toowoomba and Shop GF026 Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre, 110 Anzac Ave, Toowoomba.

Media enquiries:

Steve Batten

Optus Corporate Affairs

Tel: (02) 8082 7850/0411 080 268

[i] Darling Downs sites include Bymount South, Lonsome, Barcoola Homestead, Cecil Plaines North, Yarraman, Dr Creek North Road, Hampton, Condamine and Mungindi.

[ii] Kingaroy Central, Bymount South, Lonsome, Barcoola Homestead, Yangan, Cecil Plains North, Tregony, Maryvale, Yarraman Township, Maidenwell, Hampton 2, Condamine