Residents and visitors to Townsville will enjoy improved Optus mobile coverage with the installation of a new base station in Hermit Park.

Local Townsville Optus World store owner Peter Patchell said Optus is committed to improving the reach and quality of its mobile coverage in Townsville and surrounding areas.

"The new site provides mobile coverage improvements to Currajong, Pimlico and Aitkenvale as well as providing mobile capacity relief to our existing base stations in the area. Recent improvements have also been made to our site at Yarrawonga to improve coverage along the coast.

"In addition, we will be installing a new base station at Stockland Stadium in October to provide better coverage to areas around Condon and Kirwan.

Optus plans to continue to improve its mobile coverage in the area even further with a new site planned for Stuart in the next year.

"In the last two years we have built five base stations between Townsville and Cairns and seven between Townsville and Mackay. This is further evidence of our commitment to improving coverage in regional areas and along major highways," Mr Patchell said.

Optus also encourages safe driving with the use of hands free devices, and urges mobile user's to consider installing a car kit with an external antenna. As well as improving safety and avoiding fines, using a car kit increases the range and coverage when using mobile phones in a car.

With more than 4 million mobile customers, a third of the nation's mobile users are on the Optus network.

For more information on Optus' mobile coverage in the Townsville area, visit Optus World stores located at Stockland Plaza, Willows Shoppingtown, Woolcock Street Hyde Park or The Mall City. Alternatively call 1800 629 223 or visit the Optus website.

For more information:
Donna Clatworthy
Corporate Affairs
Tel: 02 9342 7850