Optus announced today that it would be the first carrier to offer permanent GSM mobile coverage in Birdsville. Following on from its successful temporary mobile coverage for the Birdsville races in September last year, Optus has successful built a permanent mobile facility on the Birdsville water tower.

The new mobile facility will initially offer GSM mobile coverage (2G) to the town, racetrack and roads in the surrounding area with the facility to offer 3G coverage by March 2010.

The announcement of Optus' coverage in Birdsville demonstrates its commitment to providing more choice and competition for regional and rural Australia with Optus continuing its 3G mobile expansion program to cover 98 per cent of the Australian population.

"Optus is proud to offer the first permanent mobile facility in such an iconic Australian town and just in time for the famous Birdsville races," said Anthony Shiner, General Manager, Optus Country.

"We regularly provide increased network resources for special events across Australia and last year we were the first provider to offer mobile coverage for the races via our cell on wheels (COW) mobile base station.

"The feedback from racegoers and the local community encouraged us to bring forward our plans for a permanent facility.

"Optus has a proud history of providing telecommunication services for rural and remote customers through our satellite products and it's fantastic to utilise our satellite transmission capabilities to offer GSM coverage in regional Australia," Mr Shiner said.

For more information on Optus' services and its mobile coverage in regional Australia customers can visit the Optus website at www.optus.com.au.

Media contact:
Joshua Drayton
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 8082 7850