In-flight Mobile Phone Deals
Illawarra Mercury
Wednesday July 19, 2000
Cable & Wireless Optus Ltd expects an increase in mobile sales as a result of a new venture aimed at selling mobile services to tourists.
C&W Optus' Ozitalk, launched yesterday, will allow visitors to buy or rent a pre-paid mobile phone before leaving home, on the plane on the way to Australia or at the airport when they arrive.
The Ozitalk alliance will be supported overseas by a network of international companies, including telecommunications carriers, airlines and retailers.
Alliance partners already recruited include Cellhire, Telecom New Zealand, Ericsson, City Telecom Hong Kong, Radio Shack Canada, Cable & Wireless IDC Japan, Global In-flight, Sprint USA and SOS International.
C&W Optus managing director, mobile, Paul O'Sullivan said the aim was to target the 4.7 million short-term visitors expected in Australia this year.
Selling will begin today, leaving plenty of time to prepare for the potentially lucrative tourist onslaught created by the Olympics.
Deals with up to 12 international airlines would also allow Ozitalk services to be promoted to captive audiences during flights to Australia.
``Some of our guys are joking about it as being, `chicken, beef or a mobile?'," Mr O'Sullivan said.
© 2000 Illawarra Mercury
