Katherine Times

Creating choice in the North

In service: Jane McNamara with Dave Morrissey on the Flinders Highway which is now fully blanketed by the Optus mobile network.
In service: Jane McNamara with Dave Morrissey on the Flinders Highway which is now fully blanketed by the Optus mobile network.

This is advertiser content for Optus.

Since 2015 Optus has invested more than 5.9 billion dollars into the mobile network with more than half of that investment going into regional Australia.

North Queensland general manager for Optus Dave Morrissey said this investment is creating a doorway to choice for people living and travelling through the north.

"Optus wanted to close the gap between us and our competitors with the mobile network," Mr Morrissey said.

"We're now at the point where we've changed the conversation away from, have you or haven't you got coverage?, to talking in terms of value for money, great customer service and all the other things people consider important," he said

Mr Morrissey said while Optus has had an existing mobile platform in the north for more than 20 years, in the last four years the focus has been on mobile network infrastructure, with more than 50 new towers now switched on in the north alone.

"Out west in particular, there is a perception that Optus coverage isn't available, but in reality between Charters Towers and Cloncurry there are 12 mobile towers, with another three in Mount Isa.

"At a cost of approximately $1 million to build each tower it's a phenomenal investment into the region."

Coverage: Between Charters Towers and Cloncurry there are now 16 Optus mobile towers, with another three to four in Mount Isa.
Coverage: Between Charters Towers and Cloncurry there are now 16 Optus mobile towers, with another three to four in Mount Isa.

He said lighting up the Flinders Highway was a crucial part of the rollout in that region, as it provided infrastructure for people travelling along the Flinders Highway and for those living inside the coverage areas.

"The business community really stands to benefit from having this choice of competition. Our pricing model provides significant value which is important as I think cost is a huge factor for any small business.

"The investment in 4G technology means fast download speed, great coverage and an amazing user experience."

Flinders Shire Council mayor Jane McNamara visitors to the region are enjoying the extra coverage when they pass through.

"I hosted a media group who were using Optus and they were very happy with the coverage from Mount Walker," Cr McNamara said.

"We compared the coverage of the providers and the signal strength was slightly higher with Optus on that morning," she said.

Cr McNamara said the Optus staff who have met with Council have been very helpful and explained the rollout to them."

Mr Morrissey said Optus's investment in the region will continue with eight new towers to be built between now and the end of March, 2020.

"In March we'll revitalise the mobile network plan for the next financial year and figure out what will be the next best location for Optus to invest in."

This is advertiser content for Optus.