News 2000
Virgin Mobile to launch in Australia
21/02/2000
Virgin and Cable & Wireless Optus today announced the two companies intend to form a joint-venture mobile phone company in Australia.
The new company, Virgin Mobile, will become Australia's first virtual network operator and Sir Richard Branson's second mobile phone business. The company is planned to launch later this year and will boost Virgin's activities in Australia and the South East Asian region.
Virgin said the deal with Cable & Wireless Optus, following its successful venture with One 2 One in the UK, formed the next stage in its strategy to export its mobile brand around the world.
Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group of Companies, said: 'We are thrilled to be partnering Cable & Wireless Optus in Australia - it is a potent force of two very energetic companies in one of the most dynamic countries in the world. Optus is the fastest growing and most innovative mobile company in Australia; we make a great match. We are sure Virgin Mobile will be as warmly received by the people of Australia, as its sister company has been in the UK.
'We aim to take the Virgin brand into key telecoms and internet markets around the globe and are delighted Optus wants to help us achieve and share in that vision.'
Paul O'Sullivan, Managing Director Mobile, Cable & Wireless Optus, said the deal with Virgin was another groundbreaking move for Optus, which was first to market with internet enabled phones in Australia.
"We are the first Australian mobile business to launch a service with a globally recognised leisure and entertainment company. "The Virgin 'super-brand', one of the most recognised in the world, will support Optus' strategy to provide a range of service options to suit almost every mobile user's need," he said.
For more information, contact:
Steven Day, Virgin Mobile, 020 2 4844322 or 07931 777 777
Stephen Woodhill, Cable & Wireless Optus (Australia), +61 (0) 29342 7850
