Optus

What Optus does

Optus is Australia's second-largest telecommunications provider, wholly owned by Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel). It offers mobile services (postpaid, prepaid, SIM-only), NBN and 5G Fixed Wireless Access home internet, enterprise and government connectivity solutions, and wholesale network services to MVNOs. The company serves over 10 million mobile customers across consumer, enterprise, government, small business, and wholesale segments through owned retail stores, e-commerce, direct enterprise sales, and partner channels, operating in a three-player Australian mobile market alongside Telstra and TPG.

The company's core technology centers on its 5G Standalone network infrastructure built with Ericsson, including world-first carrier aggregation trials achieving 3.4 Gb/s peak downlink speeds and AI-native RAN software delivering 20%+ throughput improvements. Optus also operates Optus Expert AI, an agentic customer service platform built on Google Cloud's Customer Engagement Suite processing 2.2 million queries at sub-2-minute average resolution. Additional capabilities include 5G Advanced positioning for emergency services, a sovereign LEO satellite project (AU$50M, planned 2028 launch), and drone-based disaster connectivity through a Nokia partnership. Enterprise offerings include managed threat monitoring (with Devo), Zero Trust cybersecurity (with Zscaler), and managed mobile device fleets.

Optus generates revenue through recurring monthly subscriptions (mobile plans, NBN, family plans), wholesale agreements with MVNOs (Aussie Broadband, Yomojo), enterprise contracts (including a Health Department AU$33M networks deal), and device sales through payment plans. The company reported FY2026 revenue of AU$8.3 billion (2.1% growth) and FY26 H1 EBITDA of AU$1,187 million (up 7.2%) with EBIT of AU$283 million (up 27%). Despite these operating improvements, Optus absorbed an exceptional AU$400 million loss from regulatory penalties and remediation tied to multiple Triple Zero outages (linked to 2-3 deaths and 605 failed emergency calls), a 2022 data breach, and an AU$100M predatory sales fine, prompting a 200-position restructuring and leadership overhaul in 2026.

Name

Optus

Legal name

Optus

Website

https://optus.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Optus is Australia's second-largest telecommunications provider, wholly owned by Singtel, serving 10 million+ mobile customers with mobile, NBN, 5G FWA home internet, enterprise connectivity, and wholesale MVNO services across consumer, business, and government segments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Telecommunications Services

NAICS

Satellite Telecommunications (517410)

SIC

Services-Telephone Interconnect Systems (7385), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)

akta.pro primary industry

Consumer Mobile Network Operators (Retail MNOs) (HDAIAAAA)

Keywords

• Mobile telecommunications services
• Home broadband internet
• Enterprise network solutions
• Wholesale MVNO services
• 5G mobile network

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Mobile Services: Recurring subscription revenue from mobile plans including SIM-only, postpaid, and prepaid services. Multiple pricing tiers with data allowances. Additional revenue from mobile device hardware sold through payment plans.
2. Home Internet (NBN): NBN broadband services including various speed tiers from NBN 100 to NBN 1000, as well as 5G home broadband alternatives as fixed wireless access.
3. Entertainment/Sports Streaming: Previously operated Optus Sport streaming service for Premier League, UEFA competitions, and other sports. Rights assigned to Nine Entertainment Co and Stan for approximately $300 million.
4. Wholesale Services: Wholesale 5G services provided to MVNOs including Aussie Broadband, enabling other telcos to resell Optus network services under their own brands.
5. Enterprise & Government Services: Corporate network solutions, cybersecurity services, and dedicated enterprise contracts including Health's $33m networks deal and partnerships with public sector agencies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Optus is Australia's second-largest telecommunications provider, offering mobile services (postpaid, prepaid, SIM-only plans), home internet via NBN and 5G/4G Fixed Wireless Access, and a wholesale 5G Standalone network for MVNOs. The company also provides enterprise and government solutions including managed mobile device fleets, cybersecurity services, and dedicated network contracts, supported by an AI-powered customer service platform.

Product overview

Optus is Australia's second-largest telecommunications company offering a comprehensive portfolio of connectivity and digital services. The core offering includes mobile plans (postpaid, prepaid, SIM-only, and family shared data plans), home internet via NBN and Fixed Wireless Access (5G FWA and 4G), and 5G standalone network services. The company provides enterprise offerings including wholesale 5G services for MVNOs, managed mobile device fleets, and managed threat monitoring. Digital platforms include SubHub for subscription bundling and Optus Expert AI for customer service automation. Recent innovations include 5G Advanced positioning for emergency services and a $50M sovereign LEO satellite project planned for 2028.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Optus Sport: Sports streaming service offering Premier League and other sports content; rights were sold to Nine Entertainment Co (Stan) in 2025.
• SubHub

Products and services

• Optus Mobile Plans
• Optus NBN
• Optus Fixed Wireless Access
• Optus Wholesale 5G SA FWA
• Optus Expert AI
• Optus Cyber Readiness Program
• Optus Managed Threat Monitoring Service
• Optus Managed Mobile Device Services
• SubHub

Quantifiable outcome

• 5G standalone peak downlink speeds of 3.4 Gb/s and uplink speeds of 200 Mb/s achieved through carrier aggregation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Starlink (SpaceX)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 June 2026Signed agreements to use Starlink's satellite phone services as complementary offering to own network infrastructure.
• EricssoncoreTechnology or Integration · 7 May 2026Ongoing 5G network partnership with Ericsson including world-first 5G standalone carrier aggregation trial achieving 3.4 Gb/s speeds. Optus launched its 5G network in 2019 using Ericsson equipment. Continued collaboration on AI-native RAN software and network optimization.
• ZscalercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026Partnership to support Australian public sector agencies in Zero Trust security framework implementation. Sean Connelly from Zscaler and Kavin Arnasalon from Optus emphasizing organization-wide architectural change requirements for successful implementation.
• FrontierSIminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026Joint trial of 5G Advanced positioning technology for emergency services, demonstrating centimeter-level accuracy for first responder operations on live commercial network.
• WaveconnmajorOthers · 15 October 2025Optus sold and licence-backed approximately 340 tower and rooftop sites to Australian infrastructure operator Waveconn, representing significant infrastructure asset restructuring.
• Devo TechnologycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 August 2025Strategic partnership announced August 2025 to launch 24/7 Managed Threat Monitoring Service for enterprise security analytics and threat detection using Devo's security analytics platform.
• Google CloudcoreTechnology or Integration · 30 July 2025Optus Expert AI built on Google Cloud's Customer Engagement Suite, analyzing live customer conversations and providing real-time guidance to frontline staff. Part of ongoing five-year AI investment strategy combining human and artificial intelligence.
• Optus Consortium (LEO Satellite)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 July 2025Optus-led consortium including High Earth Orbit Robotics, Inovor Technologies, UniSQ, and Department of Defence's Defence Science and Technology Group for $50 million sovereign LEO satellite project.
• ADMA (Australian Direct Marketing Association)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 July 2025Optus representative joined ADMA's new Advisory Committee to advance ethical marketing practices, shape responsible marketing direction, and navigate digital transformation challenges.
• UniSQ (University of Southern Queensland)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 July 2025$50 million sovereign Australian LEO satellite project through Optus-led consortium. UniSQ researchers developing sensor payload for HEO's Adler Imager telescope. Satellite planned for launch in early 2028, built by Inovor Technologies in Adelaide.
• Nine Entertainment Co / StanmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 June 2025Optus assigned Premier League and FA Cup broadcasting rights to Nine Entertainment Co and Stan for approximately $300 million. Major strategic exit from sports streaming market.
• YomojominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 June 2025Extended partnership expanding Yomojo's ability to offer Optus-powered telecom suite to its customers.
• Aussie BroadbandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 April 2025Extended 5-year wholesale mobile network partnership. Aussie Broadband serves as MVNO reselling Optus network services to its customer base.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Vodafone Australia (TPG partnership): Mobile operator in Australia, integrated into TPG Telecom, directly competing in consumer and business mobile segments with overlapping 4G/5G offerings.
• Telstra Corporation: Australia's largest telecommunications company, directly competing with Optus across mobile, NBN home internet, 5G, enterprise, and wholesale services. Telstra is the dominant incumbent with the largest market share and a comparable product portfolio.
• TPG Telecom: Australia's third major MNO and fixed-line broadband provider, completing the Telstra/Optus/TPG oligopoly that controls ~87% of the Australian mobile market. Direct competitor in mobile, NBN, and enterprise services.
• Aussie Broadband: Australian NBN and mobile reseller that operates both as an Optus wholesale MVNO customer and as a competitive ISP. Comparable in NBN/fixed broadband and increasingly in mobile postpaid.

Broad incumbents

• Verizon Communications: Major US MNO and broadband provider with leadership in 5G mmWave and carrier aggregation, comparable in scale, mobile network operations, enterprise services, and 5G technology investment trajectory.
• AT&T Inc. Large US integrated telecom offering mobile, fixed broadband, and enterprise services at a similar scale to Optus. Comparable in network infrastructure, 5G rollout, and enterprise/wholesale segments.
• BT Group: UK incumbent telecom offering mobile (via EE), broadband, and enterprise services. Comparable as a major-market integrated telco with similar consumer/enterprise/wholesale mix and a similar regulatory and reliability-overhaul context.
• NTT Docomo: Japan's leading MNO and a recognized global 5G technology leader. Comparable to Optus in 5G network technology trials, mobile services portfolio, and consumer/enterprise segmentation.

Others

• Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel): Parent company and direct regional peer; Singtel operates a comparable consumer mobile, fixed, and enterprise business across Singapore and via Optus in Australia, making it a directly comparable MNO group in the Asia-Pacific telecom market.

Emerging players

• SpaceX Starlink: LEO satellite broadband provider with which Optus has a complementary partnership agreement. Starlink is an emerging competitor/adjacent in rural and disaster-response connectivity, the same domains where Optus is investing in sovereign LEO and drone-based coverage.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Optus
• Facebookfacebook.com/optus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/optus

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A4 records

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Optus