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Optus Selects Nokia for Significant Australian $200 Million GSM Expansion
July 16, 1997
In a deal estimated to be worth around AUS$200 million, Optus Communications and Nokia Telecommunications have signed an agreement which will facilitate the planned expansion of the Optus mobile digital network to cover nearly 91 per cent of the Australian population.
The frame agreement, which covers the period 1997 to 1999, means Nokia will continue as the sole supplier to Optus of GSM base station subsystems.
Optus intends to use the Nokia equipment and services to increase the coverage and depth of its GSM coverage to nearly 91 per cent of the Australian population by the end of 1997.
Optus Director of Technical Group, Mr. Cliff McElveen, said: “Optus launched its Mobile Digital service in May 1993. Since then, we have built a substantial mobile network which covers around 89 per cent of the Australian population and has subscriber numbers approaching one million."
“Optus will use the Nokia equipment to expand our mobile coverage and improve the quality and depth of coverage in-building where our customers use their phones the most: business centres, underground railway stations and shopping centres."
“Nokia’s support and services have been invaluable in helping Optus to continuously develop and improve our networks. Nokia’s high quality products benefit our customers by contributing to the enhanced quality of the Optus mobile digital network.”
Mr. Aarne Sipilä, Managing Director of Nokia Telecommunications, Australia said: “As one of Optus’ strategic partners, Nokia is very proud of the role we have been able to play in helping Optus build its GSM network. We are happy to be able to continue this co-operation.”
Optus, Australia’s second carrier, is the only carrier in the world that, after five years, is providing long distance and mobile telephony, local calls in selected areas, high speed and flexible data services, satellite services and Pay TV. It has annual revenues of nearly AUS$2.5 billion, has invested more than $7 billion building its networks and currently employs around 7,500 people.
Nokia, a forerunner in digital mobile phones is one of the two largest suppliers of GSM networks and has sales in approximately 130 countries. Nokia is also a global leader in wireless data. With net sales totalling USD 8.5 billion in 1996, Nokia employs over 33 000 people in 45 countries.
Nokia's GSM technology has been delivered to 58 operators in 32 countries.
Further information:
Kate van den Broek, Optus Communications
Tel. +61 2 9342 8691
Ms. Arja Suominen, Nokia Telecommunications
Tel. (Int) +358 9 5113 8193
Fax (Int.) +358 9 5113 8199
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