Optus Business supports EnergyAustralia in its telecommunication needs

Optus Business has announced that it would support EnergyAustralia's telecommunications needs through its new expanded telecommunications and managed-services agreement. The five-year agreement would allow the country's telecommunications company to support the energy retailer's expansion of security, data centre, contact centre and mobile management services. The new service will be live in the first half of 2017.

Apart from the new agreement, the telecommunications company still continue to provide the energy retailers with a range of voice, data and expanded managed services. “We’re approaching our new and expanded relationship as an opportunity to provide ICT capabilities to support EnergyAustralia’s business and transformation objectives, particularly delivery of its customer-focussed strategy,” Optus Business managing director John Paitaridis said.

EnergyAustralia chief information officer Anne Weatherson described the telecommunications company as a strategic partner for EnergyAustralia as it works toward the consolidation of its platform. She said that the company was excited to grow its partnership with Optus Business. The energy retailer served more than 2.6 million customers across eastern Australia. It owns and operates a multi-billion dollar energy portfolio including coal, gas and wind generation assets.

Meanwhile, Optus announced that it would improve the 4G mobile coverage in Mildura and the Sunraysia region. The company planned to spend $4 million in the next two years that would build new sites in the selected regions. The selected regions include the Mildura, Nichols Point, Mildura Airport, Dareton, Buronga, Gol Gol, Cardross and Karadoc.

Optus network manager Vin Mullins said that the company understands the Mildura needs better mobile coverage for the people who live, work and visit the area. Mullins said that the new sites would increase 4G coverage in the Sunraysia region. The network manager said that the new sites would deliver improved call quality and faster download speeds for local mobile customers.

Mullin added that the company recognised the importance of reliable mobile coverage to the local economy as it could help small businesses and tourist to stay connected. He said that the company was planning to put additional sites along the Sturt Highway between Balranald and Hay to extend the company's Sturt Highway coverage.

The announcement about Mildura's improved 4G network was followed by the completion of last year's construction of Mildura shopping centre. The site now benefits from the increased download speeds and improved mobile call quality for the southern parts of the region. Mildura is one of the regional areas enjoying the superfast 4G Plus network offered by the company. The service now reaches 95.5 percent of Australians.