OPTUS CREATES NEW JOBS AND COMMITS $9.5 MILLION TO IMPROVE MOBILE COVERAGE IN MACKAY AND SURROUNDS

Optus has today announced a $9.5 million commitment to further improve mobile network coverage in Mackay and surrounds as well as creating seven new local jobs.

Optus State Manager Mark O’Shea said “Optus is committed to improving mobile coverage for consumers and businesses in and around Mackay.”

“We are planning to build a total of 13 new sites at Bucasia, Mackay City West, Dolphin Heads, Mackay South East, Ooralea, Rural View, Slade Point North, Homebush, Calen, Andergrove South, Shoal Point, Mirani and Bakers Creek to improve mobile coverage and customer experience for residents, businesses and visitors in the next two years.

“Since September 2016, we have spent $3.5 million to build seven new sites at Mt Pleasant, Alligator Creek, Cremorne North, Walkerstone, Bloomsbury, West Mackay and East Mackay.”

Optus has continued to invest locally and earlier this year opened a new 80sqm store at Mount Pleasant offering the latest gadgets and gizmos to help consumers and small businesses stay connected.

Optus Mackay Franchisee Jim Carew said the opening of the new store is great news for the economy with local job creation benefiting families and students.

“We have recently employed four new staff and also an SMB specialist who is dedicated to providing SMBs with the advice and information they need to grow their businesses,” Mr Carew said.

Earlier this year Optus announced a $1 billion commitment to improve mobile services in regional Australia. Around 500 new sites will be built with almost one third to be built in regional Queensland.

Mackay is enjoying the benefits of Optus’ superfast 4G Plus network, which now reaches 96.5% of Australians.

The Optus network handles over 45 million calls and 80 million SMS messages each day and carries 6,000 terabytes of data each week. Growing demand for mobile coverage is why Optus is continuously raising the bar when it comes to improving mobile services in regional Australia.

Media contact:
Candice Lester, Optus Corporate Affairs
T: (02) 8082 7850
E: media@optus.com.au