Optus wants your business -- and backs it up with plans to greatly expand its network of business specialist stores.
Optus announced plans to open 126 new small business specialist stores over an unspecified period. These will be in addition to the company's existing 26 business centres located in capital cities and regional centres.
The company also announced it is setting up a call centre team in Adelaide that will be dedicated to serving small and medium businesses.
"Many SMB operators are time-poor and want access to quality service around the clock. Whilst many are happy to visit our stores for a fast transaction off-the-shelf, we know others require a premium level of service to help them grow and we're committed to delivering that," said Rob Parcell, managing director of Optus Small Business.
"Most small businesses owners don't work nine-to-five. They conduct their business from their home, the front seat of a van or a shared innovation space. They need access to a reliable, high-speed connection to the world and an expert team who understands their unique communication needs."
To promote its push into this sector, Optus has appointed former swimmer Ian Thorpe as a brand ambassador. His first appearance is be in a campaign aimed at small and medium businesses coinciding with the Rio Olympics.
It's not the only sector Optus has invested in, having secured the Australian rights to English Premier League football, which it will make available exclusively to its own customers.
Does Optus want to be a content provider, a communications provider, or a business services provider? The answer is apparently all three - just like Telstra.
PHOTO OF IAN THORPE IN OPTUS SHIRT AT https://media.optus.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Ian-Thorpe-Optus-Ambassador.jpg
