Optus’NEWS $20m one cell swoop
TELECO giant Optus will spend $20 million on upgrades on the Gold Coast in the leadup to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Mobile towers will be built near Metricon Stadium at Carrara, the Commonwealth Games Village at Southport and at Currumbin and Main Beach. Sixty-two mobile towers also will be upgraded across the Coast.
Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation chairman Peter Beattie said the significance of the partnership with Optus was based on the importance of broadcasting the event to the rest of the world.
“The bottom line for us is this means taking the Commonwealth Games and the biggest promotion that Queensland and the Gold Coast has ever had through the Optus network to the world.
“This is about showcasing the Gold Coast, showcasing Queensland and frankly we couldn’t do it without Optus.”
Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said social media would be an important tool in capitalising on the international exposure of the event. “This will make telecommunications a long-term legacy of the Commonwealth Games,” she said.
“Most excitingly, with this $20 million investment by Optus, 90 jobs will be created here on the Gold Coast.
“We really want people to be using digital media to sell the message of the Gold Coast and everything that it has to offer.
“This is a unique opportunity. Over 1.5 billion people will have their eyes on the Gold Coast.
“That social media element, the digital component of the Commonwealth Games is certainly something that we’re working on to ensure the legacy and that’s why it’s so important that we do have an official partner like Optus coming on board as the official Telco.”
Optus Commonwealth Games Project lead Ian Smith said while the company was focused on providing a dependable service during the twoweek event, the deal would have enduring benefits for customers on the Gold Coast.
“We’re building a network that will connect all of the Games venues and … competition venues into a single network.
“We’re also conscious of leaving a legacy and creating capacity and services for the local community.”