The benefits continue to flow from Australia’s decision to say “Yes” to competition in 1992

• Optus marks 30^th Anniversary of providing Australians with choice
• 30 Years of Yes report highlights the many benefits that competition has brought to all Australians, including an annual contribution of $18 billion to the Australian economy through Optus’ mobile investment.
• CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin says the company is energised by what lies ahead.

Australians continue to benefit from lower prices, better service and more innovation with the introduction of Optus as a telecommunication competitor, according to research from Venture Insights in its white paper to commemorate the 30^th birthday of Australia’s challenger telco.

The 30 Years of Yes report notes:

The introduction of competition with a strong telecommunications carrier alternative, has transformed Australia’s communications market for the benefit of all Australians. Competition encourages investment and innovation, and consumers benefit from improved prices, functionality and service.

30 Years of Yes cites Optus’ significant contributions to the Australian economy with $43.7 [1] billion invested in infrastructure and services, investment that now contributes around $18 billion[2] to the Australian economy each year, as well as Optus’ significant direct contributions to the Federal treasury, totalling some $5.3 [3] billion since 2014.

As a company created to provide Australians with choice, Optus has also encouraged its competition to raise the bar, including what the report calls as the “democratisation of mobile” with immediate and enduring reductions in prices:

Mobile pricing has been dramatically improved after Optus entered the market. Average GSM voice prices fell 7.1% and 9.7% in 1994 and 1995 respectively, when mobile competition was launched... Between 2016–17 and 2020–21, mobile plans feature-adjusted price declined by ~50%, reflecting both lower nominal prices and much greater feature inclusions  

The report also highlights Optus’ strong community support in times of need and activities undertaken to help address social issues.

Optus Chief Executive Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said Optus has redefined the traditional telco since its establishment and would continue to disrupt the sector in the pursuit of better service, innovation, value and connectivity for all Australians.

“It’s deeply rewarding to know that we’ve amplified benefits and improved the communications sector for all Australians.  Over the last three decades, Optus has been at the forefront of changing how connectivity has supported the Australian way of life, wherever we live, work and play. And will continue to redefine how Australians engage and tailor their connectivity to suits their individual needs.

“Whilst, it’s nostalgic to glance back at what’s been achieved –  we are more focused on what lies ahead, as our Optus Living Network, our Smart Spaces, and Sub Hub strategies evolve and build scale, and we accelerate the rollout of Australia’s fastest 5G mobile network.

“It is this innovation and our consistent focus on delivering options for customers that will continue to propel our ambitions and we are truly excited by the contribution we will make to Australia’s digital future.

“We thank customers for being with us and look forward to creating a technology provider of the future that they’ll continue to love.”

Optus Media Contact:
Sally Oelerich
media@optus.com.au
02 9037 8179

[1] Expressed in 2021 dollars

[2] As estimated by Venture Insights

[3] Includes corporation tax payments and spectrum fees.