Truphone, a next-generation global mobile operator, has entered into a strategic wholesale agreement with Optus, an Australian telecommunications provider.

 

Thanks to the pact, Truphone (News - Alert) will now have access to the Optus national mobile network to deliver voice, data solutions and local mobile numbers in Australia for its newly launched Truphone Local Anywhere GSM service.

 

Truphone plans to launch the local Australian service in mid 2010.

 

Truphone officials said that the company’s Local Anywhere, which launched in January 2010 for the United Kingdom and the United States, makes it easier and more convenient for the international community to stay in touch while providing cost savings of up to 90 percent on standard international rates.

 

Company officials said that the service provides consumers with local numbers and access to local rates for calls, texts and data in all countries where Truphone has operations, on a single SIM card.

 

For those countries where Truphone does not have operator agreements, Truphone Local Anywhere offers savings of up to 70 percent over normal roaming charges.

 

“Truphone Local Anywhere is a truly groundbreaking service for people with an international lifestyle allowing them to ‘stay local’ as they travel the world,” said Geraldine Wilson (News - Alert), CEO of Truphone in a statement.

 

Wilson said that Australia has five million people travelling in and out of the country each year -- and with over 1.3 million U.K. expats living in Australia and 100,000 Australians over in the U.K., this is a key market for Truphone.

 

“Our partnership with Optus will give our customers access to what we believe is the best quality GSM network in the country,” he said.

 

Vicki Brady, managing director of Optus Wholesale and Satellite said this deal demonstrates Optus’ continued leadership and innovation in the mobile wholesale market.

 

“We look forward to the entry of Truphone with a new tailored solution as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO),” said Brady.

Brady said that using Optus’ operational expertise and the reach of the Optus mobile network combined with the Truphone Local Anywhere service this new mobile offering will be a strong addition when it is launched into the market.