Optus Business announced today the appointment of Rob Parcell as Chief Executive Officer of its IT services subsidiary, Alphawest, effective immediately. Rob joins Alphawest from Optus Business, where he was the Director, Southern Region and a senior member of the Optus leadership team.

In his new role, Rob is responsible for all aspects of Alphawest's business including sales, operations and delivery. Alphawest, which Optus acquired in 2005, has experienced significant growth since its integration with Optus and is now one of the top ten IT services companies in Australia. Rob will focus on continuing that growth by leveraging the synergies of the combined Optus and Alphawest businesses to provide innovative solutions and services to its corporate and government customer base.

John Simon, Managing Director, Optus Business said, "Rob has been a key member of the Optus Business leadership team for more than five years. Under Rob's leadership, our customer base in the Southern Region has grown considerably, strengthened by the range of services and solutions we now offer through Optus Business and our subsidiary, Alphawest.

"In addition, Rob has demonstrated outstanding leadership as the most senior Optus representative in the Southern Region," Mr. Simon said.

Rob Parcell, Chief Executive Officer, Alphawest said, "Since the acquisition of Alphawest in 2005 Optus has shown that a telco can acquire and successfully integrate an ICT business that delivers growth. I look forward to driving further growth and leading Alphawest through the next stage in its evolution."

Prior to moving to Victoria in 2003, Rob was the Director of Optus' Corporate Business division. Rob joined Optus in 1992, following Optus' acquisition of AUSSAT.

About Optus
Optus is an Australian leader in integrated telecommunications, delivering cutting-edge communications, information technology and entertainment services to millions of customers a day. Part of the SingTel Optus family, Optus is at the heart of Asia's leading communications company providing seamless connectivity to Asia and the world. The Optus Business division is a leading provider of converged communication, mobility and ICT solutions to hundreds of corporate and government clients in Australia. For more information, please visit www.optusbusiness.com.au

About Alphawest
Alphawest is an IT Services business operating across Australia, focusing on three key sectors of the IT Services market: Business Solutions, Technology Solutions and Managed Services. Alphawest excels in aligning IT systems with a company's business goals and enjoys strong partnerships with leading organisations throughout Australasia. Alphawest employs staff in offices located in Adelaide, Albany, Brisbane, Bunbury, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Alphawest Services Pty Ltd ("Alphawest") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Optus Networks Pty Ltd and part of the SingTel Group. ABN 49 009 196 347.

Media contact:
Elizabeth Greene
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 8082 1132