Singtel's Optus extends partnership with fellow Australian telco Vocus

Singapore

SINGTEL'S wholly owned Australian telco Optus has signed a five-year extension of its current mobile virtual network operator agreement with fellow telco Vocus Group, offering access to the Optus 5G network and future technologies.

According to the Monday statement, the partnership puts Vocus in a position to grow its mobile customer base across its various brands and increase market share in enterprise and small-to-medium business segments.

Vocus's managing director and CEO, Kevin Russell, said: "Our new partnership with Optus gives Vocus security in the knowledge of our access to market-leading future technologies as well as the flexibility to put attractive mobile propositions in market in a timely manner."

Other key players in Australia's telecommunications space include Telstra and TPG Telecom, which is set to become Singapore's fourth telco.

Earlier in December, Optus had acquired regional licences in Australia's auction of a new 5G mobile high-speed network.

Optus won 47 regional lots for a total amount of A$185.1 million (S$182.4 million), Telstra paid A$386 million for 143 lots, while Vodafone and TPG - which are in the midst of a merger - won 131 lots for A$263 million. Dense Air Australia received 29 lots for A$18.4 million.