Optus announced today that it was bringing high-speed data services to its mobile network using HSDPA.

The upgrade is well underway, with many sites already completed; over six hundred sites in Sydney and Melbourne to be ready for service by May 2007; and all Optus 3G sites across Australia upgraded to HSDPA by the end of May 2007. Once complete, Optus will cover 55 per cent of the Australian population with high-speed wireless broadband services.

Optus will begin extending its existing 3G HSDPA coverage to 96 per cent of the Australian population in June 2007 and plans to continue over a three year period.

Henry Calvert, Acting Director Optus Products & Delivery, said Optus had invested more than $10 billion in the construction of fixed, mobile and satellite networks and was focused on continuing to invest and expand its network to deliver better services to its customers.

"In the 15 years of Optus' operations our network has grown to offer Australian consumers and businesses a full suite of services. We are now taking it one step further by delivering high speed data over our extensive mobile network," Mr Calvert said.

"Upgrading our base stations with HSDPA technology is the next stage in Optus providing products and services that enhance the way our customers' conduct their daily lives and business.

"Optus customers will experience download speeds averaging 500Kbps to 1.5Mbps and network capability of up to 3.6Mbps initially with the potential to rise up to 14.4Mbps - depending on a range of factors*.

"We are seeing steady growth in the demand for 3G services, particularly as Optus customers become more familiar with the exciting range of content and multimedia features available to them on their mobile phone, or PC if they are using Optus Wireless Connect.

"Optus' business customers will find this upgrade extremely appealing given their need to be more flexible in their work practices – particularly when they are away from the office. Optus 3G and Optus Wireless Connect will provide faster, one-click access to email, the internet and company Virtual Private Networks (VPN)," he said.

To coincide with the launch, Optus Small & Medium Business and Optus Consumer customers will be able to purchase a USB modem for $99 on a 24 month contract, discounted from the usual price of $239. This offer starts on 2 May and extends to 1 June 2007. In addition, for the first two months until 30 June 2007 Optus Consumer mobile customers can trial, for free, Optus Zoo browsing, national video calls, Mobile IM (instant messenger).

Note to Editor:

• Optus announced earlier this year that should it be successful with the Federal Government's Broadband Connect funding, its coverage will extend a further two per cent to cover 98 per cent of the Australian population.
• Optus has 15 3G mobile handsets in its current range, three of which are HSDPA capable (Motorola V3xx, Dopod 838 and Dopod 810) and two Optus Wireless Connect data cards (PCMCIA and USB), available today.
• Optus partners on its HSDPA solution are Nokia, Option and Huawei.
• The Optus HSDPA network will provide for more choice and more competition in the Australian market.

Media contact:
Luisa Ford
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 9342 5045

*Optus 3G speeds are achievable in light of the following factors:

• The number of customers using the channel;
• The distance from the base station and hence the signal strength;
• The quality of the radio signal;
• The transmitted power;
• The antennas used;
• The capacity of the uplink;
• The frequencies used; and
• Location (eg. outdoors or indoors)