Optus turns 20
- 31 January, 2012 12:39
- Comments 4
Optus is celebrating its 20th birthday.
While the telco was awarded the country’s first competitive carrier licence in November 1991, it was January 31, 1992, when it began commercial operations.
It started selling services on June 15, 1992, and opened its first store on Pitt St, Sydney, on the same day.
The company was the first competitor for telco monopoly, Telstra, and its name derived from “opt for us”, an allusion to the choice given to Australian consumers to opt for another carrier.
Optus now has over nine million mobile services as well as one million fixed and broadband customers.
The company was acquired by Singapore telco giant, SingTel, in 2001 and has continued to grow its market share in Australia.
The telco has long been associated with the word “Yes”, which began as part of a marketing campaign in April 1992. It represents a ‘can do’ attitude towards customers and is still a big part of the Optus brand.
From brick phones to smartphones, Optus has been a major part of the mobile telecommunications industry and will continue to play in that area.
The company is also excited about the opportunities offered by fixed-line.
“In the early 1990s fixed-lines were used primarily to make and receive calls,” Optus divisional manager, Vicki Brady, said in a statement. “Today they provide broadband and pay TV, as well as a host of other services.
“With the arrival of the National Broadband Network (NBN), broadband applications are only set to increase with health, education and entertainment among the many areas to benefit.”
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Comments
William
1
Happy Birthday OPTUS, we have been with you since the first day. The outstanding service and aftersales support is and has always been focus on service, and customer needs. Proud supporter, keep up the good work.
Bill
Roger King
2
Happy Birthday OPTUS. Great service support etc., keep it up for the next 20 years and onwards !
Roger
John
3
Happy birthday Optus, I guess that this makes it my birthday as well as I have been with Optus from day one and with the same mobile number, 015 analogue then 0412 digital and the last six numbers have stayed the same for 20yrs
Mark
4
Happy 20th Birthday Optus. I had previously been with Telstra and Vodafone. I have now been with Optus 3 years on mobile and 1 year on mobile broadband, nothing but good service. Keep up the good work Optus.