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In November 2006, PowerTel entered into a strategic
wholesale alliance with Telecom New Zealand. This alliance
strengthened PowerTel's position as a key player in the
marketplace for the provision of wholesale services.
This alliance evolved into a proposal from Telecom New Zealand
to acquire PowerTel in January 2007. This acquisition was
completed on May 10th 2007.
You're welcome to contact PowerTel for media issues and
enquiries by emailing
Contact Us.
Please visit In the News
for Media Releases regarding Telecom New Zealand or see below for Archived PowerTel
Media Release Information
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2009 Media Releases
2007 Media Releases
2006 Media Releases
2005 Media Releases
2004 Media Releases
2003 Media Releases
2002 Media Releases
| October 24, 2002 |
PowerTel growth continues in third quarter of 2002
PowerTel Limited continued to increase revenue in the third quarter of 2002 in
challenging telecommunication market conditions. Sales revenue for the quarter
ending 30 September 2002 rose 13.2% to $28.7 million, up from $25.4 million in
the second quarter and $18.4 million in the first quarter of 2002.
Reporting the performance, PowerTel CEO, Stephen Butler, said: "Revenue growth
was driven by consistent sales performance in the third quarter when over $12
million of new annual contracts for customer services have been signed."
After achieving EBITDA positive in June 2002, PowerTel has continued to remain
EBITDA positive throughout the third quarter, through a combination of monthly
revenue growth and cost containment. EBITDA totalled $1.5 million in the
quarter. "PowerTel's key stakeholders are encouraged by the positive EBITDA
which is a significant milestone in the implementation of PowerTel's corporate
business model. PowerTel's improving performance is proof that our model can
succeed in the changed and competitive telecommunications market,"Stephen
Butler said.
The company is generating sufficient positive cash flow to cover all operations
and interest. This positive cashflow will grow in line with future EBITDA
growth. Since PowerTel's last financial report on 12 September 2002, it has
continued to draw funds from its bank debt facility for capital expenditure
needs. The remaining unused facility currently standing at $21.5 million.
The company has also recently announced that WilTel Communications (previously
named Williams Communications), a 45% shareholder, has emerged from its
financial restructuring with a substantially stronger balance sheet and
streamlined operations. WilTel Communications' position as a shareholder in
PowerTel has not been affected by its restructuring nor is it seeking to sell
its holding in PowerTel.
|
| October 18, 2002 |
Financial Restructure Completion by Williams Communication
Williams Communications, a 45% shareholder in PowerTel Ltd, announced today its
completion of financial restructuring and emergence from Chapter 11. Williams
communications will emerge from bankruptcy under a new corporate name WilTel
Communications which reflects a seventeen year heritage in telecommunications
services in the United States.
While this process had no direct operational impact on PowerTel, Chief
Executive Officer Stephen Butler said, "It is very good news that our
shareholder's restructure is complete. They have executed on their
restructuring milestones as predicted in a faster time frame than anticipated.
WilTel Communications has been and will continue to be an active and supportive
shareholder as well as network partner for PowerTel."
"The completion of the WilTel restructuring, combined with PowerTel's strong
first half revenue growth and achieving EBITDA positive, has strengthened our
foundation as we continue to grow our customer base and increase our network
utilization over the long haul."
A copy of the WilTel Communications announcement is attached and is also
available from http://www.wiltelcommunications.com/newsroom/newsreleases/
2002/2002-10-16.html.
COMPANY EMERGES IN SIX MONTHS RETAINING ALL KEY NETWORK CUSTOMERS
Williams Communications Group, Inc announced today that it has completed its
financial restructuring and has emerged from Chapter 11 proceedings as WilTel
Communications Group, Inc, a Nevada corporation. Its Plan of Reorganization,
which was confirmed by the
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on
September 30, 2002, became effective on October 15, 2002. The Company will
continue to operate from its Tulsa headquarters.
The Company emerges with a new $375 million credit facility and no other
substantial debt obligations other than those related to its headquarters
building.
Under the Company's Plan of Reorganization, existing shares of WCG stock
(OTCBB: WCGRQ) have been cancelled. The Company has issued 50,000,000 WilTel
Communications shares for distribution, approximately 54 percent of which have
been issued for distribution
to unsecured creditors and 44 percent of which have been issued to Leucadia
National Corporation (NYSE: LUK). Leucadia has invested $150 million in the
Company and purchased the claims of The Williams
Companies for $180 million, which funds will be released to the Company and The
Williams Companies upon receipt of requisite FCC regulatory approvals which are
expected to be obtained in the fourth
quarter of 2002. The remaining two percent of the new equity has been set aside
for potential recovery by holders of securities-related claims through a
channelling injunction approved by the Court.
The Company noted that its swift emergence and ability to maintain all of its
network business is a testament to the dedication of its employees and loyal
customers.
Separately, the Company announced that Howard Janzen has resigned as president,
CEO and as a director. The WilTel Board of Directors expressed its appreciation
to Mr Janzen: "Today WilTel emerges as a financially healthy, industry leader.
This is a testament to the foundation created by Howard and the outstanding
eadership provided by him during the Company's recent restructuring. Howard is
a major reason for the Company's rapid emergence from Chapter 11 and for the
seamless management of operations and customer care since the company's
founding and over these difficult past six months. We thank him for his
commitment and hard work on behalf of the Company as the Board begins the
search for the next leader to continue WilTel's growth and industry
leadership."
The Company will focus on offering solutions to a sophisticated customer base
with complex communications needs, including leveraging the Company's strategic
relationships with global telecom leaders, while growing its customer base and
increasing sales momentum for its core offerings which include voice and data
services. The Company's 17 years of experience and quality of service, which
are critical for the delivery of video applications and content, will help it
to maintain its leadership position in the media and entertainment sector.
The Company's Board of Directors consists of J Patrick Collins, Ian M Cumming,
William H Cunningham, Michael Diament, Alan J Hirschfield, Jeffrey C Keil,
Michael P Ressner, Joseph S Steinberg, with one seat vacant as a result of Mr
Janzen's resignation.
|
| October 2, 2002 |
Court Confirms Williams Communications Group’s Plan of Reorganization
Plan Receives Overwhelming Creditor Support;
Company Remains on Target for Fall Emergence from Chapter 11
NEW YORK, N.Y. - October 1, 2002
Williams Communications Group, Inc. (OTCBB: WCGRQ) announced today that the
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has
approved its Plan of Reorganization. The Plan garnered overwhelming support
from its Unsecured Creditors and the Secured Lenders, receiving nearly
unanimous approval from those who voted.
"The Court's confirmation of our Plan of Reorganization and the vote of
confidence from our creditors are critical steps as the Company completes its
restructuring and nears emergence from Chapter 11," said Howard Janzen, chief
executive officer of Williams Communications Group. "The diligent efforts of
all parties helped shape a Plan which makes WCG a financially stronger company,
well-positioned to provide reliable, superior service over the long-term. In
particular, the commitment of WCG employees throughout the restructuring
process allowed us to continue to provide our loyal customers with the quality
network and customer service that is our hallmark."
Under the Plan, the Unsecured Creditors will receive approximately 54 percent
of the equity in the newly reorganized Williams Communications. Leucadia
National Corporation (NYSE:LUK), which will invest $150 million in the Company
and purchased the claims of The Williams Companies for $180 million, will
receive approximately 44 percent of the new equity. The Plan also includes a
channeling injunction, which could allow holders of securities-related claims
up to two percent of the equity of the reorganized company and potential
recovery from the company's officer and director liability insurance policies.
As part of the confirmed Plan, a new nine-member Board of Directors will be
formed. It will include four directors to be selected by the Committee of
Unsecured Creditors, four directors to be selected by Leucadia, and Howard
Janzen, CEO of the reorganized Company. The Plan also calls for the Company to
transition to the WilTel name over the next two years.
There remain a few outstanding administrative and regulatory details to be
resolved, including necessary approvals from the Federal Communications
Commission. The Company expects to resolve these issues soon and remains
focused on an October emergence from Chapter 11.
|
| September 20, 2002 |
Industry recognises PowerTel for broadband initiative
PowerTel Limited has been voted by its peers for the telecommunication
industry's 'Best Corporate/Wholesale Broadband Initiative' at the third annual
Australian Telecomm Awards. It is the second award in a row for the owner and
operator of Australia's third largest fibre optic network, as PowerTel last
year took out the 'Best Emerging Telco' award.
The winners are chosen by a wide spectrum of specialists in the
telecommunication industry voting in Australian Telecom magazine, combined with
nominations invited from key industry players.
PowerTel's CEO, Stephen Butler, said the award reflected the efforts of all at
PowerTel to build responsive and personal service to PowerTel's corporate,
government and wholesale customers. "This is a great boost and comes a week
after we announced our most satisfying financial result since start-up."
"Both events prove we are now an established industry player and an agent for
change in our sector of the industry. We warmly thank our customers for
choosing to support us," Mr Butler said.
|
| September 12, 2002 |
2002 PowerTel's Half Year Results
|
| September 12, 2002 |
Powertel Achieves 87% Revenue Growth And Becomes EBITDA Positive PWT Half Year 2002 Press Release, PowerTel ASX 4B June 2002 |
| July 29, 2002 |
Restructure Announcement by Williams Communications
The Chairman of PowerTel, Miller Williams, announced today that Williams
Communications, a 45% shareholder of PowerTel, has successfully completed a
major
milestone required in its U.S. Chapter 11 debt restructure process announced on
April 22, 2002. Williams Communications has secured a commitment for a US$150
million equity investment from Leucadia National Corporation as required in the
restructuring agreement with its creditors and lenders.
In addition, Leucadia has also reached an agreement with The Williams Companies
to acquire the equity it will receive as part of Williams Communications'
reorganization. The resulting shareholdings in Williams Communications will be
55% held by Williams Communications' bondholders and 45% held by Leucadia
National Corporation.
Commenting on the announcement, Williams Communications Chief Executive Officer
Howard Janzen said, "Leucadia's investment in Williams Communications is an
important step forward for the Company and we are pleased that all parties were
able to work together to formalise the Settlement Agreement... We hope to
successfully emerge from Chapter 11 [during the 3rd quarter 2002] and remain
focused on providing the world-class network and superior level of service our
customers have come to expect."
Locally, PowerTel's business operations and funding were not impacted by the
debt restructure of Williams Communications. PowerTel reported strong first
quarter 2002 results in April, which have continued through the first half of
2002. This announcement by Williams Communications is important to address
shareholder and customer perceptions as to possible impacts to PowerTel's
future business operations.
Commenting on the announcement, PowerTel Chief Executive Officer Stephen Butler
said "some of our shareholders and customers have expressed interest in
Williams Communications' status as a shareholder throughout this process and
this announcement confirms that Williams Communications is on track to emerge
from Chapter 11."
A copy of the Williams Communications announcement is attached and is also
available from
http://www.williamscommunications.com/newsroom/newsreleases/2002/2002-07-26.html
|
| April 30, 2002 |
Austrade Chooses PowerTel's IP Network
The Federal Government enterprise, Austrade, has chosen PowerTel to upgrade its
domestic wide area communications network. Austrade has implemented PowerTel's
IP VPN solution to provide communications between its eleven sites across
Australia.
PowerTel's carrier grade IP network provides considerable advantages for
Austrade's IP applications and will allow migration to voice and video over IP.
With PowerTel, Austrade is now moving towards implementing an integrated voice,
video and data network that is expected to reduce both intermediate and long
term telecommunications costs.
"We have improved our intranet and internet communications to enhance
Austrade's knowledge distribution function, and upgraded the links between the
major capital cities eight-fold to support increased requirements for
information," Austrade's CIO, Kym Hewett explained.
"The next step necessary was to simplify the existing network and gain cost
efficiencies - with security and reliability of paramount importance.
"PowerTel's IP VPN provided an excellent foundation for our IP value-added
services," he added.
The move is a major one for the Australasian trade network that facilitates
international trade and investment in Australia. Eighty percent of Austrade's
domestic network traffic runs between Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra and
PowerTel has enabled Austrade to achieve an aggregate peak network capacity of
34Mb between these sites.
PowerTel's Director of Sales and Marketing, John Matic, explained that as a
specialist in delivering corporate data solutions, PowerTel was well positioned
to address Austrade's needs for increased capacity and a more efficient network
design.
"We've been able to work with Austrade to reduce the cost and complexity of its
domestic wide area network. Our IP VPN solution allows Austrade to prioritise
its mission-critical applications and guarantee quality of service between its
eleven sites - a critical requirement of its upgrade program".
"We are delighted to be working with Austrade, and look forward to developing
our relationship as we continue to refine and enhance its communications".
|
| April 23, 2002 |
PowerTel response to Williams Communications Group, Inc. debt restructure
announcement
Business broadband specialist, PowerTel Limited, does not expect to be affected
by the announcement of its 45% shareholder, Williams Communications Group, Inc.
that it has reached agreement with its creditors to go through a negotiated
debt restructuring process.
The announcement was foreshadowed in a statement by Williams Communications
Group in February 2002, that it was considering restructuring its debt as a
possibility.
"PowerTel is not financially or operationally affected by the Williams
Communications Group restructure. PowerTel is an Australian Stock Exchange
listed company with a separately constituted board and operates independently
of Williams Communications Group," PowerTel CEO, Mr Stephen Butler, said today.
PowerTel's other founding 30% shareholder, DownTown Utilities, recently
announced it is a "substantial and committed shareholder and looks forward to
working with the management of PowerTel as the business evolves."
"We completed our bank facility restructuring in March 2002, and gained an
additional $16 million in funding. We are achieving continued growth of our
Australian corporate, government and wholesale customer base and have increased
our market share, lifting revenue quarter-by-quarter, while our costs continue
to diminish.
"We recently reported a 40.5% increase in total revenue above the December
quarter earnings, adding to continued growth during the past six quarters. Our
EBITDA loss has reduced to around $1 million per month, less than half the
monthly average of the preceding quarter," Mr. Butler said.
In its April 22 statement, Williams Communications Group announced it had
entered agreements with its principal creditor groups to reduce its debt by
approximately US$6 billion through a negotiated Chapter 11 filing. Over 90% of
the Williams Communications Group bank lenders were joined by a committee of
bondholders in reaching these agreements.
"The company's operating subsidiary, Williams Communications, LLC, is not
expected to be involved in the Chapter 11 reorganisation process. Accordingly,
the filing is not anticipated to affect domestic or international business
operations of Williams Communications Group, which the company intends to
continue uninterrupted," the statement said, adding that, with a strengthened
balance sheet, Williams Communications will be better positioned to succeed
over the long term.
Full text of the Williams Communications Group announcement can be found at
http://www.wcg.com/newsroom/newsreleases/2002/2002-04-22.html
|
| April 19, 2002 |
PowerTel Ltd First Quarter Results
DownTown Utilities, as a major shareholder in PowerTel Ltd, acknowledges the
strong performance of PowerTel Ltd in the first quarter of 2002.
In what were difficult market conditions PowerTel Ltd posted revenues of $18.4
million, a significant increase over the previous quarter.
Despite the continued tightening of the telecommunications sector DownTown
Utilities believe that PowerTel Ltd is in a position to consolidate its
strengthening position as a significant Australian telecommunications carrier
servicing the corporate and government sectors.
DownTown Utilities remain fully committed to PowerTel Ltd despite recent press
speculation to the contrary.
DownTown Utilities investment in PowerTel Ltd is part of a long-term plan to
have a strategic holding in a significant fibre optic telecommunications
network.
|
| April 18, 2002 |
PowerTel Revenue Improves in First Quarter of 2002
PowerTel Limited continued to increase revenue in the first quarter of 2002 in
challenging telecommunications market conditions.
The company, the broadband supplier to business and government, which owns and
operates Australia's third largest fibre optic telecommunications network,
lifted first quarter total revenue 40.5% above that of the preceding quarter.
This follows a 3.9% increase from the third to fourth quarter last year.
Total revenue for the first quarter of 2002 to March 31 rose to $18.4 million,
up from $13.0 million in the fourth quarter of last year and $12.5 million in
the third quarter.
Reporting the performance, PowerTel CEO Stephen Butler said revenue from the
core corporate and government business continues to grow and this has now been
increased by the migration of traffic from Macquarie Corporate
Telecommunications under the alliance between the two companies.
"Importantly, revenue of our core corporate and wholesale business, has shown
consistent improvement during the past six quarters," he said, but commented
that market conditions were expected to remain difficult.
"The increased sales efforts and cost reductions have led to consistent
improvement each month in the company's EBITDA loss position, which is now down
to around $1 million a month and declining. This is less than half the monthly
average of the preceding quarter and around a quarter of our loss rate of a
year ago," he added.
|
| April 14, 2002 |
New Communications Industry Group to encourage greater competition, investment
and reform
Five of Australia's most recognized communications companies have joined forces
to press for regulatory change to promote greater competition in the industry
in order to deliver improved outcomes at competitive prices for business and
domestic customers.
The Competitive Carriers' Coalition (CCC) is a pro-competition group
established by AAPT, Hutchison, Macquarie Corporate, PowerTel and Primus
Telecom.
The CCC has been formed to better represent the interests of the non-dominant
carriers and to encourage a strong competitive market that delivers investment,
innovation and improved services at competitive prices.
"Our primary concern is that a decade of deregulation has not delivered the
government's goal of sustainable competition and if left to continue, the
current regulatory framework could cripple Australia's ability to compete in a
modern information economy," the partners said in a statement today.
"Further and ongoing distortions in this vital market could result in reduced
competition, disincentive to investment and less choice for consumers - exactly
the opposite effect to that desired by the Government."
The partners to the statement are the Australian Chief Operating Officer of the
Telecom New Zealand Group, Mr David Bedford; the Chief Executive Officer of
Macquarie Corporate, Mr David Tudehope; the Chief Executive of Hutchison, Mr
Kevin Russell; the Chief Executive of PowerTel, Mr Stephen Butler; and the
Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Primus Telecom, Mr Greg
Wilson.
The CCC will enable the non-dominant carriers to speak to governments and
regulators with a single voice on issues central to the future of the
communications sector.
The CCC's most immediate concern is the proposed pay TV deal between Telstra,
Foxtel and Optus, currently being considered by the ACCC.
"If the Telstra/Foxtel/Optus deal is allowed to proceed with no safeguards to
protect competition, it will entrench Telstra as the 'gatekeeper' of
communication, information and entertainment services in the Australian
market," the partners said.
"The unprecedented level of potential service bundling that the
Telstra/Foxtel/Optus deal enables will further strengthen Telstra's market
dominance. Bundling can permit cross subsidisation and can hide costs and
pricing data behind bundled prices to anti-competitive effect. It could create
a barrier to entry for new capital investment by locking customers into a
single aggregated service."
The CCC members are competitors currently offering real choice to consumers of
telecommunications services. They are therefore concerned about the real
reduction in choice and competition that the proposed deal represents.
"The Telstra/Foxtel/Optus deal illustrates a critical opportunity for the
Government to ensure sustainable future competitive outcomes - this has the
potential to impact consumers and businesses at many levels."
The CCC will be putting its views on the Telstra/Foxtel/Optus deal to
regulators and the Federal Government and plans to work together to express
common views on other key public policy issues in telecommunications.
The formation of the CCC follows widespread industry concern over the state of
competition in the telecommunications sector. The CCC believes the current
regime alone is insufficient to achieve competition and gives rise to lengthy
and costly arbitration which is not sustainable for many smaller carriers and
which serves to entrench anti competitive behaviour.
The CCC has agreed to work together to achieve three main objectives:
To promote efficient investment and competition in Australia's communications
industries leading to improved services and competitive prices for all users;
To provide a vehicle for the non-dominant carriers to speak with a single voice
on issues critical to the future of the information economy, such as the
Telstra/Foxtel/Optus pay TV deal;
To foster improved resourcing and monitoring of the regulatory framework in
order to promote improved competition and investment.
|
| April 11, 2002 |
Downtown Utilities firmly supports PowerTel Ltd
In 1997 Downtown Utilities entered into it's shareholding of what is now
PowerTel Ltd with a long-term plan to develop a strategic holding in a
significant fibre optic telecommunications network.
The telecommunications market continues to evolve and Downtown Utilities are
firmly behind PowerTel Ltd, which has been acknowledged within the industry
with awards such as "Best Emerging Telco".
Downtown Utilities believes that the service performance and product pricing of
PowerTel Ltd provides a solid foundation on which to consolidate and increase
market share.
Downtown Utilities is a substantial and committed shareholder and looks forward
to working closely with the management of PowerTel Ltd as the business evolves.
There is no foundation in the article that appeared in the Australian Financial
Review today, 11 April, regarding the alleged exit of Downtown Utilities from
PowerTel Ltd.
|
| March 13, 2002 |
PowerTel’s Full Year 2001 Financial Results
ASX Announcement
13 March 2002 - For Immediate Release
Significant revenue increase by PowerTel
The Chairman of PowerTel Limited, John Bumgarner Jr, announced today the
telecommunication group's result for the full year to 31 December 2001,
reporting that PowerTel had increased revenue and, in the second half of the
year, reduced operating losses.
"Revenue, operating expenses, cashflow and EBITDA (earnings before interest,
tax, depreciation and amortisation) have all trended positively for us since
mid 2001," Mr Bumgarner said.
Revenue growth accelerating
The company, which owns and operates Australia's third largest facilities-based
broadband telecommunications network after those of Telstra and Optus,
increased total revenue by 32.8% from $37.5 million to $49.8 million.
Excluding sales from the mobile business divested in 2000 (Spectrum), revenue
on a comparable basis was up by 63.8% from $29.3 million to $48.0 million.
During the latter half of 2001 core corporate and wholesale revenue grew at the
rate of 20% a quarter.
The company achieved a consistent quarterly increase in the number of
corporate, SME and wholesale customers, while government business also rose
during the year. This growth has changed the revenue mix of the company, with
higher-margin data and Internet sales moving from 21.5% to 55.7% of total
revenue during the year.
PowerTel continued to wind down revenue from the low-margin former Spectrum
business ($8.2 million reduction). It has more than replaced this business with
revenue from new corporate, government and wholesale customers ($36.4 million,
or 73.1% of total revenue).
EBITDA sharply improved
"EBITDA losses were comparable to the previous year but, importantly, improved
32.8% from a $25.6 million loss in the first half to a $17.2 loss in the
second," Mr Bumgarner said. "EBITDA losses are currently less than $1.4 million
per month and are decreasing. Based on that level of performance, the company
should become EBITDA positive in the second half of the current year."
Following PowerTel's network completion, the net loss in 2001 was $86.2 million
(2000: $61.8 million loss), due primarily to increased depreciation,
amortisation and borrowing costs of $20.7 million.
PowerTel reduced staff numbers, operating costs and capital expenditure in
response to the softening telecommunications marketplace in 2001. Operating
costs were reduced by 17%, favourably affecting the company's cashflow in the
second half.
Macquarie alliance now contributing
A major strategic alliance with Macquarie Corporate Telecommunications Limited,
announced in September 2001, commenced migrating traffic onto the PowerTel
network in January and is meeting expectations. It has started to contribute to
EBITDA in the first half of 2002, and will contribute significantly in the
second half. Under the alliance, Macquarie gains access to PowerTel's fibre
optic network, which is progressively handling Macquarie's voice traffic.
The Macquarie alliance has helped boost revenues in the first two months of
2002 by 20% a month.
Funding renegotiated
With the support of its major shareholder, Williams Communications, PowerTel
has renegotiated with its banks the $150 million loan facility put in place in
January 2001. Details are:
* The loan facility has been reduced to $100 million to reflect PowerTel's
reduced needs related to current and forecast revenues and capital expenditure.
* PowerTel has also received a $16 million convertible subordinated loan from
Williams Communications, the conversion of which is subject to shareholder
approval.
The renegotiated bank loan and Williams Communications funding gives PowerTel a
fully funded business plan.
|
| March 6, 2002 |
POWERTEL GAINS $16M FURTHER FUNDING FOR GROWTH
Business and wholesale broadband telecommunications network operator, PowerTel
Limited, has received A$8 million of funding with a further funded commitment
of A$8 million subject to certain conditions being satisfied.
The funding is in the form of a subordinated convertible loan from PowerTel's
largest shareholder, Williams Communications. Key terms of the loan from
Williams Communications are that repayment of principal and interest are
deferred and subordinated to the bank loan and repayable one year after the
bank loan is repaid. The loan is to be capable of conversion by Williams
Communications to ordinary shares which requires shareholder approval prior to
conversion which is anticipated to be sought at the May 2002 Annual General
Meeting.
Williams Communications has been a major shareholder and sponsor of PowerTel
since 1998. Notwithstanding its recent announcement that it is holding
restructuring discussions with its banks, its continued support of PowerTel is
evidenced by the additional funding currently being provided to PowerTel.
Chief Executive of PowerTel, Stephen Butler, said "the principal benefit to
PowerTel from this additional funding is to provide it financial strength and
credibility in the marketplace so that PowerTel can continue to attract and
service customers, in its own right. Furthermore, while PowerTel enjoys the
support of a shareholder and sponsor such as Williams, PowerTel is not
dependent operationally on Williams Communications to service PowerTel's
customers in Australia."
PowerTel expects to announce its full year financial results on 13 March 2002.
Mr Butler said that despite a difficult environment in the telecommunications
market, PowerTel had enjoyed continued month-on-month revenue growth in 2001.
PowerTel's fibre optic telecommunications network is Australia's third largest
after those of Telstra and Optus. The network, which now reaches into over 450
major buildings in the CBDs of Australia's capital cities, was completed in
2000 and PowerTel is now building its corporate and wholesale customer base.
|
| March 1, 2002 |
POWERTEL ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF NEW SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR
PowerTel Limited, which owns and operates Australia's third largest fibre-optic
telecommunications network, today announced the appointment of John Matic as
its Director of Sales & Marketing.
"PowerTel is very pleased to have secured someone with such solid experience in
the Australian telecommunications market. John's appointment will help ensure
that we meet our aggressive business objectives and plans for growth", said
Stephen Butler, CEO.
"John will bring extensive corporate sales and marketing expertise to PowerTel
and will concentrate on further acquisition of new customers to add to our
corporate, government and wholesale bases".
Prior to accepting the position, Mr Matic spent seven years with AAPT, holding
positions as Group Director, Commercial and Consumer and Director of Marketing.
During his time at AAPT, Mr Matic was responsible for winning significant
government business, and launched and developed the AAPT Smartchat brand.
He previously spent 11 years with IBM in Australia and the United States.
"I look forward to John joining the team and contributing to PowerTel's further
success", Mr Butler said.
Mr Matic holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science (Engineering)
from the Pennsylvania State University.
|
| January 15, 2002 |
PowerTel wins contract to supply broadband connectivity to Hanimex
PowerTel Limited, which owns and operates Australia's third largest fibre-optic
telecommunications network, announced today that it had signed a major contract
to supply Fujifilm's Australian distributor, Hanimex Pty Limited, with a
virtual private network that will efficiently and securely transport compressed
digital images.
The service will allow Hanimex customers to upload their photos to
Print@FUJICOLOR - the first completely networked online digital imaging
application in Australia.
Through PowerTel, Fujifilm provides an online photo sharing and print ordering
service where traditional film images and digital photos can be securely
stored. Consumers can view the photos online and then order their own quality
reprints directly from the website.
Hanimex and PowerTel have already launched the service and are currently
expanding it to 200 stores, to coincide with the summer trading period the
busiest time of the photographic year.
Under the contract, PowerTel will provide broadband connectivity to Hanimex
retail customers. PowerTel's virtual private network will transport the
compressed images at high speed from the retail outlets to the Fujifilm server
and website, and from the website to customers' computers. "Because the
connection is expandable, PowerTel can maintain the speed even in periods of
high use, such as around the holidays, said PowerTel Chief Executive Officer,
Stephen Butler.
We are delighted to have won an innovative and flexible contract with Hanimex.
Both parties were looking for a partner that was able to grow with them and to
think laterally to develop new solutions going forward, he said.
Hanimex Chief Executive Officer, David Patch, said the partnership allowed
Hanimex to capitalise on PowerTel's broadband capacity.
More than one billion photos are printed from traditional film each year in
Australia with the move towards digital imaging growing rapidly, Mr Patch said.
Digital cameras are experiencing significant sales growth in Australia. With
PowerTel's help we are well placed to serve consumer demand as more people move
to digital photography, he said.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Hanimex:
Deidre McAlinden
Communications Manager
Tel: +61 2 9466-2784
0417-758 432 (m)
Email: mcalindd@hanimex.com.au
PowerTel:
Ann Combe
Marketing Communications & Media Relations Manager
Tel: +61 2 8264 4540
combea@powertel.com.au
ABOUT HANIMEX:
For more than 40 years, Fujifilm has been distributed in Australia by Hanimex
Pty Ltd, creating one of the longest trading relationships in the history of
the photographic industry. As one of the leading manufacturers and marketers of
imaging and information products, Fujifilm has helped drive the worldwide
revolution in how pictures are taken, processed, stored and shared.
The Fujifilm brand name has also forged a strong identity around Australia with
the establishment of more than 400 independentlyowned Fuji Image Plaza and
Fujifilm Image Plus retail outlets.
|
2001 Media Releases
| November 20, 2001 |
PowerTel trims to meet industry conditions
Broadband telecommunications network operator, PowerTel Limited, is reducing
its workforce by 10% in light of industry conditions.
To ensure the business meets financial targets next year it is necessary to
reduce operating costs which unfortunately includes reducing staff by 32, Chief
Executive, Stephen Butler, said. The redundancies will be company wide and will
not affect the company's ability to provide a continuing high level of customer
service.
The company continues to increase sales, month on month, but is experiencing
the same subdued levels of activity evident throughout the telecommunications
industry, Mr Butler commented.
It was recently reported in the press that PowerTel had reduced staff by 30%.
This is incorrect, although a 10% reduction of staffing levels took place in
July 2001.
|
| October 24, 2001 |
PowerTel Sponsors Australian Red Cross Yarra Challenge
On Sunday 21 October, 2001, the Red Cross Yarra Challenge was held on the Yarra
River at Henly Landing.
Approximately 500 spectators enjoyed the fabulous Melbourne weather to witness
over 160 paddlers from Melbourne's corporate community and Emergency Service
organisations battle it out on the water to help support the Australian Red
Cross, Victoria.
The Red Cross Yarra Challenge, proudly sponsored for the second year by
PowerTel, is a 250-metre team canoe relay event. The fun challenge involves
teams of four people (2 x 2-man canoes) each paddling a 250m sprint to be the
first team over the line.
Thirty-two corporate teams paddled furiously in an attempt to win the PowerTel
Cup. After eight heats, each consisting of four teams, the top eight teams went
through to two semi finals and four teams ultimately fought it out in the
Corporate Cup final. After a fast and furious race Mr Neil Verrall, PowerTel
National Director of Sales and Marketing, presented the PowerTel cup to GBM
Logic who triumphed over NAB, Custom Fleet and the PowerTel team.
The Emergency Services category involved two heats to decide the final field
that ultimately raced for the prestigious Lord Mayors Cup. At the end of the
final, the Australian Red Cross managed to out paddle the Country Fire
Authority and State Emergency Service and was awarded the Lord Mayors Cup
presented by the Hon. John So and Charles Griffin from Central Equity.
A fun, colourful and lively event, the Yarra Challenge enjoyed great enthusiasm
and support from all who competed and witnessed the event. Melbourne Lord
Mayor, The Hon. John So gave the event his stamp of approval announcing that he
would like to see the Red Cross Yarra Challenge incorporated into the City of
Melbourne's annual river Festival.
Event sponsors, PowerTel and Central Equity also pledged their continuing
support of this unique event and important fundraiser for the Australian Red
Cross.
|
| September 28, 2001 |
Double award for innovative Australian Telco
PowerTel Limited has been voted by its peers to win the 'Best Emerging Telco'
Award at the annual Australian Telecom Awards held last night [week] in Sydney.
Owner and operator of Australia's third largest 100% fibre optic core network
in Australia, PowerTel, was also awarded Broadband Wholesale Carrier of the
Year at the inaugural CommsWorld Telecomms Awards 2001 earlier this month.
Last night's awards, hosted by Australian Telecom magazine, one of Australia's
most widely read telco industry publications in Australia, showcased
Australia's best players in the telecommunications industry. Readers voted
through voting coupons appearing in the publication for four consecutive months
and key industry players were also invited to vote.
PowerTel's CEO, Stephen Butler, said PowerTel has focused on building its
corporate, government and wholesale customer business and is thrilled the
industry has acknowledged PowerTel as 'the one to watch'.
"It's a great honour that our growth and efforts as an organisation have been
recognised by our peers in the industry. We are continuing to achieve our
objectives, as Australian businesses choose PowerTel to facilitate their
business communication. Naturally, we are delighted that the industry has
endorsed this and we are the recipients of these awards," said Mr. Butler.
The awards were presented last night at the prestigious Westin Hotel, Sydney.
The event was attended by leaders in the Australian Information Technology
Industry - its keynote speaker was Senator Richard Alston, Minister for
Communications, IT and The Arts.
|
| September 24, 2001 |
PowerTel and PAV Data offer computing delegates free high-speed Internet access
PowerTel Limited, which owns and operates Australia's third largest fibre-optic
telecommunications network, is providing free broadband Internet access to
attendees at the HPC Asia Conference this week - an unusual benefit for the 500
high performance computing specialists attending from Australia and around the
world.
The three-day conference and exhibition is a forum for leading experts in high
performance computing in the Asia Pacific region to exchange ideas, experiences
and results related to high performance computing and communications. Last
staged in China 18 months ago, the event is being held at the Royal Pines
Resort, Gold Coast, (September 24 - 28 2001).
As the venue is four kilometres from PowerTel's 100% fibre optic core network,
it will be connected with state-of-the-art infrared technology from PAV Data
155 ATM, a broadband optical wireless access technology.
It is believed to be the first time conference delegates in Australia have been
offered such high-speed access at no cost. The conference delegates are able to
contact their offices and quickly download important information over one of
the most modern networks in Australia, allowing data-heavy applications and to
ensure delegates are able to keep abreast of events while at the conference,
PowerTel General Manager, Marketing, Mary Egan says.
"The temporary provision of bandwidth and high-speed connectivity supplied to
the delegates over the three-day event demonstrates our flexibility to provide
seamless leading edge technology," she adds.
|
| September 11, 2001 |
$3million contract signed to supply WAN data services to EnergyAustralia
PowerTel Limited, which owns and operates Australia's third largest fibre-optic
core telecommunications network, has signed a $3 million contract to supply
data services to EnergyAustralia's entire wide area network.
The three-year contract will enable 29 designated EnergyAustralia locations to
access voice, data and video communication through PowerTel's broadband
network.
PowerTel's CEO Stephen Butler, said: "We are proud that an organisation such as
EnergyAustralia, with its vast customer base and a need for high bandwidth and
cost effective communications, has chosen PowerTel in a competitive tender.
"The majority of our clients have been in the Banking & Finance, Media
& Entertainment and IT sectors. This contract proves that we offer a suite
of services that is attractive to all sectors in the corporate, government and
wholesale market."
Paul Broad, Managing Director of EnergyAustralia, said: "As we approach full
retail competition EnergyAustralia has invested in enhanced technology
platforms to ensure we have the capability to provide high levels of service
and attractive products for customers.
"PowerTel's ability to deliver the optimal suite of wide area network services
in an aggressive timeframe is a key element of this upgrade program and its
broadband technology will provide us with the capacity to easily scale up to
meet increased demand for online services."
|
| September 7, 2001 |
PowerTel Half Year Results and Strategic Alliance ASX Announcement
PowerTel Limited, which owns and operates Australia's third largest broadband
telecommunications network dedicated to the corporate and wholesale market,
today announced its results for the half year to 30 June 2001 and a major
strategic alliance with Macquarie Corporate Telecommunications. The results
were in line with expectations on 3 July 2001, when the company advised that
financial (EBITDA) break-even was likely to be achieved during the first half
of 2002.
Sales revenue for the half year was $22.4 million, an increase of 80% over the
half year to 30 June 2000 excluding sales from the mobile business which has
been divested. The net loss was $47.0 million (2000: $26.7 million) reflecting
increased depreciation and marketing operating costs.
PowerTel's chairman, Mr. John Bumgarner, said: "We are continuing to build
business on the network we completed in the third quarter of 2000. Our progress
in acquiring new customers and increasing revenue from existing customers is
encouraging, considering the present difficult telecommunications market. As
the overall telecommunications market has softened, we have reduced staff
numbers, operating costs and capital expenditure to ensure break-even EBITDA as
early as possible."
Mr. Stephen Butler, chief executive officer, said: "We increased our revenue by
13.5% in the second quarter, which was below the 16.8% achieved in the first
quarter due partly to customers deferring decisions to upgrade or expand their
telecommunications facilities."
"Growth in sales to our target market of corporate and wholesale customers was
in excess of 30% per quarter, while our lower margin Spectrum resold voice
revenue declined by approximately 20% per quarter. As a result of the change in
the revenue mix, the gross margin increased to 18.6%, compared with 9.8% in the
previous corresponding period."
"Our corporate and wholesale customers have doubled to 339 over the past twelve
months, with 48% of our business in the higher margin data sector. Our data
sales increased to 70% of new sales during the first half of the year."
"Customers are attracted to PowerTel for our data, voice, internet and
international service offerings on our own 2500km fibre optic network servicing
over 400 buildings in the Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne areas. This network
gives our customers access to cost effective and scaleable telecommunications
solutions combined with superior customer service and service provisioning. Our
industry peers and our customers recently awarded PowerTel the CommsWorld's
2001 award as Broadband Wholesale Carrier of the Year, providing further
endorsement of our network and services."
"Following our $145 million equity raising and our $150 million medium debt
raising in early 2001, PowerTel has a strong balance sheet and a fully funded
business plan."
PowerTel also announced that it has formed a strategic alliance with Macquarie
Corporate Telecommunications Limited. Under the alliance, Macquarie will gain
access to PowerTel's fibre optic network, which will progressively begin
handling Macquarie's voice traffic. Further details of the alliance are given
in a separate joint release.
Mr. Stephen Butler, chief executive officer of PowerTel, said: "The alliance
with Macquarie Corporate will enable us to enhance PowerTel's business growth.
It will increase our overall revenue and network utilisation to enable us to
reach our EBITDA positive target earlier than we would have done otherwise. "
|
| September 7, 2001 |
Macquarie Corporate Telecommunications and PowerTel form alliance
PowerTel Limited and Macquarie Corporate Telecommunications Holdings Limited
today agreed and announced that they have formed an alliance that will enhance
the telecommunications services both companies offer to their corporate
customers and increase the efficiency with which those services are provided.
The principles for this new alliance will see the companies co-operate
strategically to reduce carrier costs and share those cost savings. The
benefits of the alliance include potentially significant carrier cost savings
for Macquarie and substantial revenue enhancement for PowerTel.
Under the alliance agreement Macquarie will gain access to the PowerTel fibre
optic network, which will progressively begin handling Macquarie's voice
traffic. The two companies will also work together and share certain resources
to bring new products and services to market more quickly and efficiently.
Macquarie and PowerTel will continue to operate independently and compete with
each other in the market. Each company will market its own services separately
and maintain its own customer relationships. PowerTel is a 10% shareholder in
Macquarie, but the alliance is a business initiative and is unrelated to the
shareholding.
"The alliance makes great commercial sense because it brings together the
corporate customer base that Macquarie has built over the past 10 years with
the advanced fibre optic network that PowerTel has developed," said Macquarie
Chief Executive David Tudehope. "For Macquarie, the key benefit is a
potentially significant reduction in carrier costs and further customer choice
for voice services."
Stephen Butler, PowerTel's Chief Executive Officer, said: "The alliance enables
each company to capitalise on the individual strengths of the other, and on the
synergies between both. For PowerTel, we expect a substantial increase in
revenue through greater utilisation of our network as we begin handling
Macquarie's voice traffic. And in data service, we are particularly impressed
with Macquarie's Intellicentre which we consider the best data centre facility
in Australia and a potential driver of increased network utilisation."
Macquarie and PowerTel have had a commercial and competitive relationship for a
number of years. The two companies have recognised the potential synergies for
some time and have had discussions about working together for nearly a year.
|
| August 20, 2001 |
PowerTel Expands Sydney-Melbourne DWDM Network Capacity
SYDNEY, Australia - In response to growing corporate and wholesale customer
demand, Australian telecommunications carrier PowerTel [ASX: PWT] is to
significantly increase capacity on PowerTel's Sydney-to-Melbourne DWDM (dense
wave division multiplexing) optical backbone network.
Using Nortel Networks Optical Internet technology will double PowerTel's DWDM
backbone capacity between Sydney and Melbourne and allow PowerTel to continue
its highly-competitive pricing policy while delivering massive bandwidth,
unparalleled levels of intelligence and the industry's lowest cost per managed
bit on a flexible, reliable, industry-leading all-optical platform.
According to Mary Egan, General Manager of Marketing at PowerTel, "Backbone
traffic in Australia is growing at more than 100 percent per year, with a
noticeable upsurge over the last few months."
"Nortel Networks' technology allows PowerTel to meet the high bandwidth demands
of its customers such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, with the
flexibility to provide for future demands and protocol independence," continued
Ms Egan.
"The ABC required massive bandwidth capacity to share video and audio
transmission between their Ultimo and Gore Hill locations in Sydney. With
Nortel's Optical Internet technology, PowerTel's network provides the ABC with
a flexible, and reliable, cost-effective solution."
"Nortel Networks is committed to supporting PowerTel in its goal of providing
cost effective, reliable communications solutions in Australia's corporate and
wholesale markets," said Steve Wood, president, Nortel Networks Australia and
New Zealand. "We continue to drive advances to support time-to-profit for
customers like PowerTel and the need to deliver the lowest cost per connection
and cost per bit."
|
| July 23, 2001 |
PowerTel and eServ launch a new generation of IN services
Sydney, Australia 23rd July, 2001- PowerTel Limited (ASX:PWT) today announced
that it has completed the deployment and commissioning of its new Intelligent
Network (IN) equipment in record time.
PowerTel is now poised to tackle the market for advanced 13-, 1300- and
1800-number services.
PowerTel's IN equipment provides the flexible call logic, which supports
PowerTel's advanced 13-, 1300- and 1800-number services.
PowerTel's IN services incorporate complex routing capabilities to distribute a
company's calls based on the location of the caller, the time of day or day of
week, and a variety of other complex options.
Ms. Mary Egan, General Manager of Marketing of PowerTel said, "This means our
customers can schedule the appropriate resources and skills for handling
particular types of calls based on origin of the calling party's number.
Customers can manage call routes remotely through the Internet. This provides
ultimate flexibility to our customers."
This means businesses can reap the value of each customer call and change call
plans dynamically during the day.
"And now, with number portability, customers can now take advantage of the
advanced PowerTel IN services without having to change their number," said Ms.
Egan.
PowerTel purchased the IN equipment from eServ Ltd (Internationally known as
eServGlobal), a global technology company specialising in the provision of
infrastructure solutions for advanced telecommunications services.
Mr Stephen Butler, Chief Executive Officer of PowerTel, said: "In working with
eServ, we have had a faultless and speedy deployment of this new equipment in
our network. In less than three months, this complex technology investment has
been fully bedded down in our network and is generating revenue for PowerTel.
This demonstrates how PowerTel can move quickly to aggressively offer new
value-added services to our customers such as 1800-Reverse, who have already
signed up to use the platform."
Mr Roger Allen, Executive Chairman of eServ, said: "eServ's technology is all
about bringing advanced telecommunications services to market quickly. We
enable customised and complex telecommunications services, so that carriers can
realise maximum returns from their networks. eServ systems today are generating
revenue for telecoms operators in networks in Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy,
Denmark, Spain, Germany, UK, USA, Australia and elsewhere. Worldwide, eServ
systems handle over 200 million revenue-generating calls every day, so we have
the expertise to deploy quickly so the operator can start earning revenue
sooner."
Mr Butler said: "We chose eServ because of their proven expertise in telecoms
networks, their global experience, and their very flexible IN product. The
addition of this service will add to our already comprehensive product offering
for corporate customers. We see many opportunities to work with eServ to
develop additional services using this technology."
|
| May 15, 2001 |
PowerTel announces major capacity deal with Nava Networks
ASX Company Announcements Office
Australian Stock Exchange
Level 4, 20 Bridge Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
By facsimile: 1300 300 021
ASX Announcement - PowerTel Limited
PowerTel Limited announces a major capacity sale on its Sydney to Melbourne
network to Nava Networks.
Further details are provided in the attached media release.
Shane Allan
Company Secretary
PowerTel Limited
May 15, 2001
PowerTel announces major capacity deal with Nava Networks
PowerTel Limited, Australia's third largest broadband network provider, today
announced a major capacity sale on its Sydney to Melbourne network to Nava
Networks worth A$230 million (US$115 million) over 15 years.
Nava Networks is developing a multi-terrabit system, Nava-1, linking Singapore,
Jakarta, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. This project is due for
completion late 2002 and is conditional on Nava's funding being finalised.
"This sale is a significant boost for our wholesale business. PowerTel is
fortunate that it has today a non-legacy scalable Sydney to Melbourne fibre
link that is easily upgradable to suit Nava's needs," said Mr Butler,
PowerTel's Chief Executive Officer.
As part of the agreement, PowerTel will provide a second totally diverse Sydney
to Melbourne fibre link which is expected to be complete and earning revenue
for PowerTel by quarter three 2002. This new link will fulfil Nava's diversity
requirements and provide network diversity to PowerTel's customers on this
major route. It will be in addition to PowerTel's 2,440 kilometre broadband
network that links the capital cities on the Australian eastern seaboard.
PowerTel has also committed to purchase capacity for 15 years for A$40 million
(US$20 million), plus operating and maintenance charges, on Nava's Melbourne to
Singapore network. PowerTel's major shareholder, Williams Communications, has
similarly committed to purchase capacity for A$60 million (US$30 million), plus
operating and maintenance charges, for their own use.
PowerTel's commitment to Nava and the sale of capacity on its Melbourne to
Sydney fibre link is also conditional on the approval of PowerTel's recently
announced banking syndicate. PowerTel should not require any additional debt or
equity funding to fulfil its commitments under this agreement.
The additional capacity on Nava-1 Melbourne to Singapore will compliment
PowerTel's existing east coast network and its international link, via the
Southern Cross network, to Williams Communications' 45,000 kilometre fibre
optic US network. It will provide PowerTel with end-to-end broadband network
coverage beyond its east coast network, to Adelaide and Perth as well as access
to the wholesale and corporate markets in South East Asia.
"Customer demand for broadband is predicted to grow annually by 30 to 60 per
cent as faster and richer technologies emerge. PowerTel is in an excellent
position to meet this demand at a competitive price and to aggressively roll
out its broadband solutions to customers on the Nava-1 route.
"It will be a key component of PowerTel's network reach which extends from
customers in the CBD and metropolitan buildings along interstate fibre links to
international distribution points in the USA and Asia," Mr Butler said.
Nava Networks' Development Chief Executive Officer, Mr Charles Jarvie, said
that finalising the Nava-PowerTel relationship completes another important
element in the Nava-1 development process.
"We believe this relationship presents important advantages to both our
organisations and to the respective markets we address. We look forward to
providing our customers with significant benefits as a result," Mr Jarvie said.
The Nava-1 submarine and terrestial network will deploy the latest high
bandwidth fibre optic cable technology. Each link will utilise Dense Wavelength
Division Multiplexing (DWDM) providing maximum scalability for Australian
customers.
|
| May 1, 2001 |
PowerTel Announces that it has become a substantial shareholder in Macquarie
Corporate
ASX Company Announcements Office
Australian Stock Exchange
Level 4, 20 Bridge Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
By facsimile: 1300 300 021
ASX Announcement – PowerTel Limited
PowerTel today announced that it has become a substantial shareholder in
Macquarie Corporate Telecommunications Holdings Limited.
Further details are provided in the attached media release.
Shane Allan
Company Secretary
PowerTel Limited
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2001
PowerTel Limited today announced that it has become a substantial shareholder
in Macquarie Corporate Telecommunications Holdings Limited.
PowerTel Limited today announced that it has become a substantial shareholder
in Macquarie Corporate Telecommunications Holdings Limited.
PowerTel’s total interest in Macquarie is 20,370,000 shares
representing 10% of the issued share capital of Macquarie.
Stephen Butler, CEO of PowerTel, commented that PowerTel has made no decision,
at this stage, regarding the acquisition of further shares in Macquarie or made
any proposals in that regard. PowerTel acknowledges that Macquarie is
controlled by David and Aidan Tudehope and any future transaction would require
their involvement and support.
PowerTel, however, believes there are substantial potential benefits to be
gained for both companies by Macquarie and PowerTel working together.
Accordingly, PowerTel is keen to work with the Macquarie Board and the
Tudehopes to see how a proposal could be developed, in due course, in the best
interests of the shareholders of both Macquarie and PowerTel. JP Morgan,
PowerTel’s advisor, has made preliminary contact with
Macquarie’s advisor, Allco Fell, to express interest in working
together in this respect.
|
| March 28, 2001 |
PowerTel Announces the Issue of Employee Options
ASX Company Announcements Office
Australian Stock Exchange
Level 4, 20 Bridge Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
By facsimile: 1300 300 021
ASX Announcement – PowerTel Limited
PowerTel Limited announces the issue of Employee Options.
Further details are provided in the attached Appendix 3B.
Shane Allan
Company Secretary
PowerTel Limited
Rule 2.7, 3.10.3, 3.10.4, 3.10.5
Appendix 3B
New issue announcement,
application for quotation of additional securities
and agreement
Information or documents not available now must be given to ASX as soon as
available. Information and documents given to ASX become ASX’s
property and may be made public.
Introduced 1/7/96. Origin: Appendix 5. Amended 1/7/98, 1/9/99, 1/7/2000.
Name of entity
POWERTEL LIMITED
ACN, ARBN or ARSN
001 760 103
We (the entity) give ASX the following information.
1. Part 1 - All issues
You must complete the relevant sections (attach sheets if there is not enough
space).
1 +Class of +securities issued or to be issued
Options
2 Number of +securities issued or to be issued (if known) or maximum number
which may be issued
7,173,000
3 Principal terms of the +securities (eg, if options, exercise price and expiry
date; if partly paid +securities, the amount outstanding and due dates for
payment; if +convertible securities, the conversion price and dates for
conversion) i. Each of 6,840,000 options are exercisable at $0.70 for one
ordinary PowerTel share. The first third of these options vest on 27 March
2002, the second third of options vest on 27 March 2003 and the last third of
options vest on 27 March 2004.
All of these options expire on 27 March 2006.
ii. Each of 333,000 options are exercisable at $0.56 for one ordinary PowerTel
share. Exercise of options are subject to a performance hurdle being achieved.
The first third of these options vest on 27 March 2002 and expire on 27 March
2009, the second third of options vest on 27 March 2003 and expire on 27 March
2010 and the last third of options vest on 27 March 2004 and expire on 27 March
2011.
4 Do the +securities rank equally in all respects from the date of allotment
with an existing +class of quoted +securities?
If the additional securities do not rank equally, please state:
 the date from which they do
 the extent to which they participate for the next dividend,
(in the case of a trust, distribution) or interest payment
 the extent to which they do not rank equally, other than in
relation to the next dividend, distribution or interest payment No –
options are not quoted
Ordinary shares when issued as a result of the exercise of these options will
rank equally with ordinary quoted shares.
5 Issue price or consideration
$0.00
6 Purpose of the issue
(If issued as consideration for the acquisition of assets, clearly identify
those assets)
Issued under the Employee Option Plan approved by shareholders on 1 December
1999.
7 Dates of entering +securities into uncertificated holdings or despatch of
certificates
27 March 2001
Number +Class
8 Number and +class of all +securities quoted on ASX (including the securities
in clause 2 if applicable)
863,075,396
Ordinary
Number +Class
9 Number and +class of all +securities not quoted on ASX (including the
securities in clause 2 if applicable)
1,096,101
159,574,468
14,249,674 Preference (RCPS)
Preference (WCPS)
Employee Options *
* after taking into account cancelled options as at 27 March 2001
10 Dividend policy (in the case of a trust, distribution policy) on the
increased capital (interests) N/A
2. Part 2 - Bonus issue or pro rata issue
11 Is security holder approval required?
12 Is the issue renounceable or non-renounceable?13 Ratio in which the
+securities will be offered
14 +Class of +securities to which the offer relates
15 +Record date to determine entitlements
16 Will holdings on different registers (or subregisters) be aggregated for
calculating entitlements?
17 Policy for deciding entitlements in relation to fractions
18 Names of countries in which the entity has +security holders who will not be
sent new issue documents
Note: Security holders must be told how their entitlements are to be dealt
with.
Cross reference: rule 7.7.
19 Closing date for receipt of acceptances or renunciations
20 Names of any underwriters
21 Amount of any underwriting fee or commission
22 Names of any brokers to the issue
23 Fee or commission payable to the broker to the issue
24 Amount of any handling fee payable to brokers who lodge acceptances or
renunciations on behalf of +security holders
25 If the issue is contingent on +security holders’ approval, the
date of the meeting
26 Date entitlement and acceptance form and prospectus will be sent to persons
entitled
27 If the entity has issued options, and the terms entitle option holders to
participate on exercise, the date on which notices will be sent to option
holders
28 Date rights trading will begin (if applicable)29 Date rights trading will
end (if applicable)
30 How do +security holders sell their entitlements in full through a broker?
31 How do +security holders sell part of their entitlements through a broker
and accept for the balance?
32 How do +security holders dispose of their entitlements (except by sale
through a broker)?
33 +Despatch date
3. Part 3 - Quotation of securities
You need only complete this section if you are applying for quotation of
securities
34 Type of securities
(tick one)
(a) Securities described in Part 1
(b) All other securities
Example: restricted securities at the end of the escrowed period, partly paid
securities that become fully paid, employee incentive share securities when
restriction ends, securities issued on expiry or conversion of convertible
securities
4. Entities that have ticked box 34(a)
(a) Additional securities forming a new class of securities
(If the additional securities do not form a new class, go to 43)
Tick to indicate you are providing the information or documents
35 0 The names of the 20 largest holders of the additional +securities, and the
number and percentage of additional +securities held by those holders
36 0 A distribution schedule of the additional +securities setting out the
number of holders in the categories
1 - 1,000
1,001 - 5,000
5,001 - 10,000
10,001 - 100,000
100,001 and over
37 0 A copy of any trust deed for the additional +securities
(now go to 43)
5. Entities that have ticked box 34(b)
38 Number of securities for which +quotation is sought
39 Class of +securities for which quotation is sought
40 Do the +securities rank equally in all respects from the date of allotment
with an existing +class of quoted +securities?
If the additional securities do not rank equally, please state:
 the date from which they do
 the extent to which they participate for the next dividend,
(in the case of a trust, distribution) or interest payment
 the extent to which they do not rank equally, other than in
relation to the next dividend, distribution or interest payment
41 Reason for request for quotation now
Example: In the case of restricted securities, end of restriction period
(if issued upon conversion of another security, clearly identify that other
security)
Number +Class
42 Number and +class of all +securities quoted on ASX (including the securities
in clause 38)
(now go to 43)
6. All entities
(a) Fees
43
Payment method (tick one)
0 Cheque attached
0 Electronic payment made
Note: Payment may be made electronically if Appendix 3B is given to ASX
electronically at the same time.
1 Periodic payment as agreed with the home branch has been arranged
Note: Arrangements can be made for employee incentive schemes that involve
frequent issues of securities.
(b) Quotation agreement
1 +Quotation of our additional +securities is in ASX’s absolute
discretion. ASX may quote the +securities on any conditions it decides.
2 We warrant to ASX that the issue of the +securities to be quoted complies
with the law and is not for an illegal purpose, and that there is no reason why
those +securities should not be granted +quotation. We warrant to ASX that an
offer of the +securities for sale within 12 months after their issue will not
require disclosure under section 707(3) of the Corporations Law.
3 We will indemnify ASX to the fullest extent permitted by law in respect of
any claim, action or expense arising from or connected with any breach of the
warranties in this agreement.
4 We give ASX the information and documents required by this form. If any
information or document not available now, will give it to ASX before
+quotation of the +securities begins. We acknowledge that ASX is relying on the
information and documents. We warrant that they are (will be) true and
complete.
Sign here: ............................................
Date: ............................
(Director/Company secretary)
Print name: ...........................................
|
| March 15, 2001 |
Completed Rights Issue 15/03/01
ASX Company Announcements Office
Australian Stock Exchange
Level 4, 20 Bridge Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
By facsimile: 1300 300 021
ASX Announcement - PowerTel Limited
PowerTel Limited announces as a matter of record that it has successfully
completed its 1 for 4 rights issue, with a total of 204,749,717 new ordinary
shares being issued on 13 March 2001.
Included in the above total is the shortfall taken up by the underwriter of
4,676,575 shares which represents only 2.3% of the issue.
Appendix 3B information in relation to the rights issue was released to the ASX
on 17 January 2001.
Shane Allan
Company Secretary
PowerTel Limited
|
| February 28, 2001 |
98% Take Up of PowerTel Rights
PowerTel today announced a 98% take up of its recent rights issue. The rights
issue has contributed $110 million in cash to PowerTel and will secure the
funding of its current 5 year business plan.
PowerTel's renounceable rights issue was announced 17 January 2001. Under the
terms of the rights issue, shareholders were entitled to purchase one new share
at $0.54 per share for every four existing shares they held in PowerTel. The
rights issue was underwritten by PowerTel's major shareholder Williams
Communications.
The rights issue closed 22 February 2001. Of the public float, 200,081,732
rights were taken up by PowerTel's Australian and New Zealand shareholders.
Williams Communications will take up the 2% shortfall, equating to 4,667,985
rights. This will contribute a total of $110 million to PowerTel's funding and
will increase Williams' shareholding in PowerTel from 44.4% to 44.9% on a fully
diluted basis.
PowerTel's CEO Stephen Butler said "I am delighted with the confidence
demonstrated in PowerTel. The high level of response signals significant
support for the company from all shareholders as we move forward to execute our
business plan."
PowerTel is a leading provider of broadband solutions for the Australia's
corporate and wholesale market.
|
| February 27, 2001 |
PowerTel Announces 2000 End of Year Results
The Chairman of PowerTel Limited, John Bumgarner, today announced that PowerTel
made an operating loss after tax and abnormals of $61.8 million for the twelve
months to 31 December 2000. This result compares with a loss of $38.4 million
for the same period in the prior year.
Sales revenue in 2000 was $35.5 million, compared to $49.2 million in 1999. The
decrease in sales is due to the sale of PowerTel's mobile customer base in May
2000 ($13.6 million reduction) and the rationalisation of the original Spectrum
low margin customer base ($11.2 million reduction). Offsetting this is $11.1
million of revenue achieved from new corporate and wholesale customers in 2000.
This new revenue represents 33% of PowerTel's sales revenue for the period.
Abnormal items included the sale of the mobile business (gain of $2.4 million),
offset by the decommissioning of voice switches and revaluation of investments
($2.3 million), resulting in a net abnormal gain of $0.1 million.
Operating costs increased to $45 million (1999: $29.1 million) following the
planned increase in marketing expenditure mainly through an increase in staff
numbers.
In January 2001 PowerTel announced a program to fully fund the current five
year business plan, including a 1:4 rights issue, and a $150 million debt
facility. In addition major shareholders Williams and DownTown Utilities have
exercised $35 million in options to acquire PowerTel shares.
Funding will be used to complete payment for the initial network rollout and to
continue expansion of the PowerTel network on a "revenue driven" basis; to
repay the $70 million existing short term borrowings; and to fund ongoing
operations including customer acquisition.
Stephen Butler, Chief Executive Officer, said: 'During 2000 we achieved our
goals stated in our May 2000 Annual General Meeting. Namely, to complete our
core network build and to gain access to 325 targeted buildings. Our focus for
this year is to achieve a positive EBITDA position. This will require a
commitment to both continued acquisition of new customers and the management of
our costs.'
'We now have the building blocks in place to offer end-to-end PowerTel
broadband solutions. This includes a full suite of Data, Voice and Internet
products, along with building to building access to our customers. Combined
with this is our intra-city, inter-capital and international connectivity,
enabling delivery of services in rapid time while maintaining control of our
service quality, with less dependence on incumbents.'
'Over the past few months there has been considerable discussion surrounding
the lack of broadband capacity in Australia. PowerTel's experience within the
key corporate and wholesale segments indicates a shortage of available
capacity, especially above 2 mbps increments, where we are seeing successful
new business wins.'
'Service orders are increasing in size and complexity, as customers realise the
benefits of broadband capability in managing their mission critical
applications. PowerTel achieved 150 new corporate and wholesale customers
principally during the latter part of 2000.
PowerTel has restructured and boosted its sales and marketing efforts, with
several key appointments including a new Director of Sales and Marketing in
August 2000 and a National Sales Manager, Wholesale in September.
|
| February 8, 2001 |
ASX Announcement – PowerTel Limited - Appointment of Alternate Company
Secretary
ASX Company Announcements Office
By facsimile: 1300 300 021
ASX Announcement - PowerTel Limited
PowerTel announce the appointment of Simon McEgan as alternate Company
Secretary to PowerTel Limited.
Simon McEgan
Company Secretary
PowerTel Limited
|
| February 7, 2001 |
RequestDSL selects PowerTel for ATM services to interconnect DSL exchanges
RequestDSL selects PowerTel for ATM services to interconnect DSL exchanges.
RequestDSL, Australia's first independent wholesale provider of Digital
Subscriber Line (DSL) broadband services, has selected PowerTel to provide ATM
backbone services to support its national DSL network rollout.
PowerTel joins a distinguished list of world class, carrier-grade service and
technology partners that RequestDSL is working with to establish its
comprehensive broadband service delivery capability. RequestDSL has completed
the first phase of its rollout in Melbourne and Sydney with multiple exchanges
now fully operational and supporting its wholesale services. Further exchanges
are currently under construction in Sydney, Melbourne and a third capital city.
RequestDSL operates an advanced network and service delivery infrastructure to
support its wholesale, managed broadband service offerings to Internet Service
Providers (ISPs) and Application Service Providers (ASPs). The company was an
early entrant in the competitive broadband services marketplace and the first
company to reach a commercial agreement with Telstra to access the
Unconditioned Local Loop Service (ULLS) allowing access to Telstra's existing
copper customer access network.
The agreement with PowerTel includes provision for data transport from
RequestDSL's network nodes located in Telstra exchanges over the PowerTel
high-speed Asynchronous Tranfer Mode (ATM) network to RequestDSL's CBD-based
Points of Aggregation.
"RequestDSL selected PowerTel for its proven delivery commitment and the highly
robust nature of its infrastructure," said Philip Sykes, CEO of RequestDSL.
"RequestDSL's mission is to provide the Australian market with "always on",
high-speed, access in the most cost effective and customer-centric way
available today in Australia. We required a partner who understands and
supports our customer commitment and is able to deliver the scale and quality
of service that our business demands. PowerTel provides all of this and more,
with a real commitment to help build Australia's broadband future".
PowerTel commenced operations in 1998 and today is the third largest facility
based provider of broadband telecommunications services to the corporate and
wholesale markets in Australia. The Brisbane to Melbourne core network is
complete, and points of presence have been established in Adelaide and Perth.
PowerTel provides a full range of data, voice and internet services. |
| January 17, 2001 |
Rights Issue Announcement - PowerTel to raise $110.6 million through rights
issue
PowerTel Limited, Australia's third largest broadband telecommunications
infrastructure provider, today announced an underwritten renounceable rights
issue to raise $110.6 million.
Shareholders will be entitled to acquire one new PowerTel share at $0.54 per
share for every four entitled shares they hold at 29 January 2001. A Prospectus
and entitlement and acceptance form will be mailed to all shareholders on 1
February. For shareholders to take up their rights, they must complete and
return this Form with payment by 22 February. Rights trading will commence on
22 January and end on 15 February.
In conjunction with an underwritten debt facility of $150 million, the rights
issue will complete the funding of PowerTel's current business plan. J.P.
Morgan has been appointed as Lead Manager for the issue and, together with
Toronto Dominion, has underwritten the $150 million debt facility. The funds
will be used to:
complete the initial network rollout;
expand the network's capacity and geographical reach;
repay existing short-term borrowings; and
fund ongoing operations including customer acquisition.
PowerTel's two major shareholders, US-based Williams Communications Group Inc.
("Williams"), and DownTown Utilities Pty Limited ("DTU"), will take up their
rights. DTU is a joint venture between EnergyAustralia, CitiPower and Energex.
Williams, through its subsidiary WilTel Communications Pty Limited, is
underwriting the balance of the issue.
Williams and DTU increased their commitment to PowerTel through exercising
their remaining options over ordinary shares, contributing a total of $35
million to the company.
Mr Stephen Butler, CEO of PowerTel said, "We are delighted with the support
given to us by our major shareholders and believe this should provide a good
indication to all shareholders of their confidence in our strategy and business
plan. The rights issue provides an opportunity for investors to increase their
investment in PowerTel at a discount to the current market price and to
participate in our company's growth."
"PowerTel's target for data, voice and internet communications services includes
corporate, government and wholesale customers - a market that is experiencing
high growth. We have one of the lowest-cost fibre optic networks in Australia
and we are acquiring customers in targeted CBD markets and amongst carriers
requiring access to the inter-city and intra-city bandwith connectivity that we
offer".
|
| January 16, 2001 |
Board of Directors Announcement
Manager of Company Announcements Office
Australian Stock Exchange
Fax: 1300 300 021
Dear Sir
Board of Directors Announcement
Mr Gary Dupler, Non Executive Director, resigned as a Director of PowerTel
Limited on 16 January 2001. Mr Dupler was instrumental in establishing
PowerTel's fibre optic network, joining PowerTel in August 1998, and serving as
Chief Operating Officer and then Chief Executive Officer before returning to
the United States in April 2000.
Shane Allan
Company Secretary
PowerTel Limited
|
| January 11, 2001 |
Appendix B: Exercising of Options by DTU (Citipower)
Rule 2.7, 3.10.3, 3.10.4, 3.10.5
Appendix 3B
New issue announcement,application for quotation of additional securities and
agreement
Information or documents not available now must be given to ASX as soon as
available. Information and documents given to ASX become ASX's property and may
be made public.
Introduced 1/7/96. Origin: Appendix 5. Amended 1/7/98, 1/9/99, 1/7/2000.
Name of entity
PowerTel Limited
ACN, ARBN or ARSN
001 760 103
We (the entity) give ASX the following information.
Part 1 - All issues
You must complete the relevant sections (attach sheets if there is not enough
space).
1 +Class of +securities issued or to be issued
Ordinary shares
2 Number of +securities issued or to be issued (if known) or maximum number
which may be issued
4.468,086
3 Principal terms of the +securities (eg, if options, exercise price and expiry
date; if partly paid +securities, the amount outstanding and due dates for
payment; if +convertible securities, the conversion price and dates for
conversion)
4 Do the +securities rank equally in all respects from the date of allotment
with an existing +class of quoted +securities?
If the additional securities do not rank equally, please state:
the date from which they do
the extent to which they participate for the next dividend, (in the case of a
trust, distribution) or interest payment
the extent to which they do not rank equally, other than in relation to the
next dividend, distribution or interest payment Yes
5 Issue price or consideration
A$0.47 per share / A$2,100,000 in total
6 Purpose of the issue
(If issued as consideration for the acquisition of assets, clearly identify
those assets)
Ordinary shares issued by the exercise of options pursuant to subscription
agreements approved by shareholders in Extraordinary General Meeting on 14
August 1998.
7 Dates of entering +securities into uncertificated holdings or despatch of
certificates
11 January 2001
Number +Class
8 Number and +class of all +securities quoted on ASX (including the securities
in clause 2 if applicable)
658,326,203 Ordinary shares
Number +Class
9 Number and +class of all +securities not quoted on ASX (including the
securities in clause 2 if applicable)
1 096 101
159 574 468
-
12 362 500 Cumulative 8% converting Preference shares
Cumulative 10% converting Preference Shares
Special Options
Employee Options
10 Dividend policy (in the case of a trust, distribution policy) on the
increased capital (interests)
Part 2 - Bonus issue or pro rata issue
11 Is security holder approval required?
12 Is the issue renounceable or non-renounceable?
13 Ratio in which the +securities will be offered
14 +Class of +securities to which the offer relates
15 +Record date to determine entitlements
16 Will holdings on different registers (or subregisters) be aggregated for
calculating entitlements?
17 Policy for deciding entitlements in relation to fractions
18 Names of countries in which the entity has +security holders who will not be
sent new issue documents
Note: Security holders must be told how their entitlements are to be dealt
with.
Cross reference: rule 7.7.
19 Closing date for receipt of acceptances or renunciations
20 Names of any underwriters
21 Amount of any underwriting fee or commission
22 Names of any brokers to the issue
23 Fee or commission payable to the broker to the issue
24 Amount of any handling fee payable to brokers who lodge acceptances or
renunciations on behalf of +security holders
25 If the issue is contingent on +security holders' approval, the date of the
meeting
26 Date entitlement and acceptance form and prospectus will be sent to persons
entitled
27 If the entity has issued options, and the terms entitle option holders to
participate on exercise, the date on which notices will be sent to option
holders
28 Date rights trading will begin (if applicable)
29 Date rights trading will end (if applicable)
30 How do +security holders sell their entitlements in full through a broker?
31 How do +security holders sell part of their entitlements through a broker
and accept for the balance?
32 How do +security holders dispose of their entitlements (except by sale
through a broker)?
33 +Despatch date
Part 3 - Quotation of securities
You need only complete this section if you are applying for quotation of
securities
34 Type of securities
(tick one)
(a) Securities described in Part 1
(b) All other securities
Example: restricted securities at the end of the escrowed period, partly paid
securities that become fully paid, employee incentive share securities when
restriction ends, securities issued on expiry or conversion of convertible
securities
Entities that have ticked box 34(a)
Additional securities forming a new class of securities
(If the additional securities do not form a new class, go to 43)
Tick to indicate you are providing the information or documents
35 0 The names of the 20 largest holders of the additional +securities, and the
number and percentage of additional +securities held by those holders
36 0 A distribution schedule of the additional +securities setting out the
number of holders in the categories
1 - 1,000
1,001 - 5,000
5,001 - 10,000
10,001 - 100,000
100,001 and over
37 0 A copy of any trust deed for the additional +securities
(now go to 43)
Entities that have ticked box 34(b)
38 Number of securities for which +quotation is sought
39 Class of +securities for which quotation is sought
40 Do the +securities rank equally in all respects from the date of allotment
with an existing +class of quoted +securities?
If the additional securities do not rank equally, please state:
the date from which they do
the extent to which they participate for the next dividend, (in the case of a
trust, distribution) or interest payment
the extent to which they do not rank equally, other than in relation to the
next dividend, distribution or interest payment
41 Reason for request for quotation now
Example: In the case of restricted securities, end of restriction period
(if issued upon conversion of another security, clearly identify that other
security)
Number +Class
42 Number and +class of all +securities quoted on ASX (including the securities
in clause 38)
(now go to 43)
All entities
Fees
43 Payment method (tick one)
0 Cheque attached
0 Electronic payment made
Note: Payment may be made electronically if Appendix 3B is given to ASX
electronically at the same time.
Periodic payment as agreed with the home branch has been arranged
Note: Arrangements can be made for employee incentive schemes that involve
frequent issues of securities.
Quotation agreement
1 +Quotation of our additional +securities is in ASX's absolute discretion. ASX
may quote the +securities on any conditions it decides.
2 We warrant to ASX that the issue of the +securities to be quoted complies
with the law and is not for an illegal purpose, and that there is no reason why
those +securities should not be granted +quotation. We warrant to ASX that an
offer of the +securities for sale within 12 months after their issue will not
require disclosure under section 707(3) of the Corporations Law.
3 We will indemnify ASX to the fullest extent permitted by law in respect of
any claim, action or expense arising from or connected with any breach of the
warranties in this agreement.
4 We give ASX the information and documents required by this form. If any
information or document not available now, will give it to ASX before
+quotation of the +securities begins. We acknowledge that ASX is relying on the
information and documents. We warrant that they are (will be) true and
complete.
Sign here:
............................................................Date:..11.01.01
(Director/Company secretary)
Print name: Robert Shane ALLAN |
| January 2, 2001 |
Appendix 3B: New Issue Announcement
APPENDIX 3B
NEW ISSUE ANNOUNCEMENT
APPLICATION FOR QUOTATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES AND AGREEMENT
Information or documents not available now must be given to ASX as
soon as available. Information and documents given to ASX become
ASX's property and may be made public.
Introduced 1/7/96. Origin Appendix 5. Amended 1/7/98, 1/9/99,1/7/2000.
Name of Entity: PowerTel Limited
ACN or ARBN:001 760 103
We (the entity) give ASX the following information.
PART 1 - ALL ISSUES
You must complete the relevant sections (attach sheets if
there is not enough space).
1. Class of securities issued Ordinary shares
or to be issued
2. Number of securities issued 4,468,085
or to be issued (if known)or maximum number which may be issued
3. Principal terms of the securities (eg, if options, exercise price and expiry
date; if partly paid securities, the amount outstanding and due dates for
payment; if convertible securities,the conversion price and dates for
conversion)
4. Do the securities rank equally Yes
in all respects from the date
of allotment with an existing
class of quoted securities
If the additional securities
do not rank equally, please state:
* the date from which they do
* the extent to which they
participate for the next
dividend, (in the case of
a trust, distribution) or
interest payment
* the extent to which they do
not rank equally, other than
in relation to the next dividend, distribution or
interest payment
5. Issue price or consideration A$0.47 per share/A$2,100,000 in total
6. Purpose of the issue (if Ordinary shares issued by the issued as
consideration for exercise of options pursuant to the acquisition of assets,
subscription agreements
clearly identify those approved by shareholders in
assets)
Extraordinary General Meeting
on 14/08/1998
7. Dates of entering securities 29/12/2000
into uncertified holdings
or despatch of certificates
NUMBER CLASS
8. Number and class of all 653,858,117 Ordinary shares
securities quoted on
ASX (including the
securities in clause
2 if applicable)
NUMBER CLASS
9. Number and class of all 1,096,101 Cumulative 8% converting
securities not quoted Preference Shares
on ASX (including the 159,574,468 Cumulative 10%
securities in clause 2 converting Preference
if applicable) Shares
4,468,086 Special Options
12,362,500 Employee Options
10.Dividend policy (in the case-of a trust, distribution policy) on the
increased
capital (interests)
PART 2 - BONUS ISSUE OR PRO RATA ISSUE
Items 11 to 33 are Not Applicable
PART 3 - QUOTATION OF SECURITIES
You need only complete this section if you are applying for quotation
of securities
34. Type of securities (tick one)
(a) Securities described in Part 1
(b) All other securities
Example: restricted securities at the end of the escrowed period,
partly paid securities that become fully paid, employee incentive
share securities when restriction ends, securities issued on expiry
or conversion of convertible securities
Entities that have Ticked Box 34(a)
Additional Securities Forming a New Class of Securities
(If the additional securities do not form a new class, go to 43)
Tick to indicate you are providing the information or documents
35. The names of the 20 largest holders of the additional securities, and the
number and percentage of additional securities held by those holders
36. A distribution schedule of the additional securities setting out the number
of holders in the categories
1 - 1,000
1,001 - 5,000
5,001 - 10,000
10,001 - 100,000
100,001 - and over
37. A copy of any trust deed for the additional securities
(now go to 43)
Entities that have Ticked Box 34 (b)
Items 38 to 42 are Not Applicable
ALL ENTITIES
Fees
43. Payment method (tick one)
Cheque attached
Electronic payment made
Note: Payment may be made electronically if Appendix 3B is given to ASX
electronically at the same time.
x Periodic payment as agreed with the home branch has been arranged
Note: Arrangements can be made for employee incentive schemes that involve
frequent issues of securities.
QUOTATION AGREEMENT
1. Quotation of our additional securities is in ASX's absolute
discretion. ASX may quote the securities on any conditions it
decides.
2. We warrant to ASX that the issue of the securities to be quoted
complies with the law and is not for an illegal purpose, and that
there is no reason why those securities should not be granted
quotation. We warrant to ASX that an offer of the securities for
sale within 12 months after their issue will not require
disclosure under section 707(3) of the Corporations Law.
3. We will indemnify ASX to the fullest extent permitted by law in
respect of any claim, action or expense arising from or connected
with any breach of the warranties in this agreement.
4. We give ASX the information and documents required by this form.
If any information or document not available now, will give it to
ASX before quotation of the securities begins. We acknowledge that
ASX is relying on the information and documents. We warrant that
they are (will be) true and complete.
R S Allan
COMPANY SECRETARY
02/01/2001
|
2000 Media Releases
| December 22, 2000 |
New Issue Announcement
DownTown Utilities Pty Limited have exercised the following options:
Number Type Exercise Price Expiry Date
20,851,063 Special Options $0.47 14 August 2003
APPENDIX 3B
NEW ISSUE ANNOUNCEMENT
APPLICATION FOR QUOTATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES AND AGREEMENT
Information or documents not available now must be given to ASX as soon as
available. Information and documents given to ASX become ASX's property and may
be made public.
Introduced 1/7/96. Origin Appendix 5. Amended 1/7/98, 1/9/99,1/7/2000.
Name of Entity
PowerTel Limited
ACN or ARBN
001 760 103
We (the entity) give ASX the following information.
PART 1 - ALL ISSUES
You must complete the relevant sections (attach sheets if there is not enough
space).
1. Class of securities issued Ordinary shares
or to be issued
2. Number of securities issued 20,851,063 or to be issued (if known)or maximum
number which
may be issued
3. Principal terms of the securities(eg, if options, exercise price and expiry
date; if partly paid
securities, the amount outstanding and due dates for
payment; if convertible securities, the conversion price and dates for
conversion)
4. Do the securities rank equally Yes in all respects from the date of
allotment with an existing
class of quoted securities
If the additional securities do not rank equally, please state:
* the date from which they do
* the extent to which they participate for the next
dividend, (in the case of a trust, distribution) or
interest payment
* the extent to which they do not rank equally, other than in relation to the
next dividend, distribution or
interest payment
5. Issue price or consideration A$0.47 per share / A$9,800,000
6. Purpose of the issue (if Ordinary shares issued by the issued as
consideration for exercise of options pursuant the acquisition of assets, to
subscription agreements clearly identify those approved by shareholders in
assets) Extraordinary General Meeting
on 14 August 1998.
7. Dates of entering securities 22/12/2000 into uncertified holdings or
despatch of certificates
NUMBER CLASS
8. Number and class of all 649,390,032 Ordinary shares
securities quoted on ASX (including the
securities in clause 2 if applicable)
9. Number and class of all securities not quoted on ASX (including the
securities in clause 2 if applicable)
1 096 101 Cumulative 8% converting Preference shares
159 574 468 Cumulative 10% converting Preference shares
8,936,171 Special Options
12 362 500 Employee Options
10.Dividend policy (in the case of a trust, distribution policy) on the
increased
capital (interests)
PART 2 - BONUS ISSUE OR PRO RATA ISSUE
Items 11 to 33 are Not Applicable
PART 3 - QUOTATION OF SECURITIES
You need only complete this section if you are applying for quotation of
securities
34. Type of securities (tick one)
(a) Securities described in Part 1
(b) All other securities
Example: restricted securities at the end of the escrowed period, partly paid
securities that become fully paid, employee incentive share securities when
restriction ends, securities issued on expiry or conversion of convertible
securities
Entities that have Ticked Box 34(a)
Additional Securities Forming a New Class of Securities
(If the additional securities do not form a new class, go to 43)
Tick to indicate you are providing the information or documents
35. The names of the 20 largest holders of the additional securities, and the
number and percentage of
additional securities held by those holders
36. A distribution schedule of the additional securities setting out the number
of holders in the categories
1 - 1,000
1,001 - 5,000
5,001 - 10,000
10,001 - 100,000
100,001 - and over
37. A copy of any trust deed for the additional securities(now go to 43)
Entities that have Ticked Box 34 (b)
Items 38 to 42 are Not Applicable
ALL ENTITIES
Fees
43. Payment method (tick one)
Cheque attached
Electronic payment made
Note: Payment may be made electronically if Appendix 3B is given to ASX
electronically at the same time.
x Periodic payment as agreed with the home branch has been arranged
Note: Arrangements can be made for employee incentive
schemes that involve frequent issues of securities.
QUOTATION AGREEMENT
1. Quotation of our additional securities is in ASX's absolute discretion. ASX
may quote the securities on any conditions it decides.
2. We warrant to ASX that the issue of the securities to be quoted complies
with the law and is not for an illegal purpose, and that there is no reason why
those securities should not be granted quotation. We warrant to ASX that an
offer of the securities for sale within 12 months after their issue will not
require disclosure under section 707(3) of the Corporations Law.
3. We will indemnify ASX to the fullest extent permitted by law in respect of
any claim, action or expense arising from or connected with any breach of the
warranties in this agreement.
4. We give ASX the information and documents required by this form. If any
information or document not available now, will give it to ASX before quotation
of the securities begins. We acknowledge that ASX is relying on the information
and documents. We warrant that they are (will be) true and complete.
R S Allan
COMPANY SECRETARY
22/12/2000.
|
| December 13, 2000 |
New Issue Announcement: Appendix 3B
Rule 2.7, 3.10.3, 3.10.4, 3.10.5
Appendix 3B
New issue announcement,application for quotation of additional securities and
agreement
Information or documents not available now must be given to ASX as soon as
available. Information and documents given to ASX become ASX's property and may
be made public.
Introduced 1/7/96. Origin: Appendix 5. Amended 1/7/98, 1/9/99, 1/7/2000.
Name of entity
PowerTel Limited
ACN, ARBN or ARSN
001 760 103
We (the entity) give ASX the following information.
Part 1 - All issues
You must complete the relevant sections (attach sheets if there is not enough
space).
1 +Class of +securities issued or to be issued
Ordinary shares
2 Number of +securities issued or to be issued (if known) or maximum number
which may be issued
44,680,851
3 Principal terms of the +securities (eg, if options, exercise price and expiry
date; if partly paid +securities, the amount outstanding and due dates for
payment; if +convertible securities, the conversion price and dates for
conversion)
4 Do the +securities rank equally in all respects from the date of allotment
with an existing +class of quoted +securities?
If the additional securities do not rank equally, please state:
the date from which they do
the extent to which they participate for the next dividend, (in the case of a
trust, distribution) or interest payment
the extent to which they do not rank equally, other than in relation to the
next dividend, distribution or interest payment Yes
5 Issue price or consideration
A$0.47 per share / A$21,000,000 in total
6 Purpose of the issue
(If issued as consideration for the acquisition of assets, clearly identify
those assets)
Ordinary shares issued by the exercise of options pursuant to subscription
agreements approved by shareholders in Extraordinary General Meeting on 14
August 1998.
7 Dates of entering +securities into uncertificated holdings or despatch of
certificates
13 December 2000
Number +Class
8 Number and +class of all +securities quoted on ASX (including the securities
in clause 2 if applicable)
628538969 Ordinary shares
Number +Class
9 Number and +class of all +securities not quoted on ASX (including the
securities in clause 2 if applicable)
1 096 101
159 574 468
29 787 234
12 362 500 Cumulative 8% converting Preference shares
Cumulative 10% converting Preference Shares
Special Options
Employee Options
10 Dividend policy (in the case of a trust, distribution policy) on the
increased capital (interests)
Part 2 - Bonus issue or pro rata issue
11 Is security holder approval required?
12 Is the issue renounceable or non-renounceable?
13 Ratio in which the +securities will be offered
14 +Class of +securities to which the offer relates
15 +Record date to determine entitlements
16 Will holdings on different registers (or subregisters) be aggregated for
calculating entitlements?
17 Policy for deciding entitlements in relation to fractions
18 Names of countries in which the entity has +security holders who will not be
sent new issue documents
Note: Security holders must be told how their entitlements are to be dealt
with.
Cross reference: rule 7.7.
19 Closing date for receipt of acceptances or renunciations
20 Names of any underwriters
21 Amount of any underwriting fee or commission
22 Names of any brokers to the issue
23 Fee or commission payable to the broker to the issue
24 Amount of any handling fee payable to brokers who lodge acceptances or
renunciations on behalf of +security holders
25 If the issue is contingent on +security holders' approval, the date of the
meeting
26 Date entitlement and acceptance form and prospectus will be sent to persons
entitled
27 If the entity has issued options, and the terms entitle option holders to
participate on exercise, the date on which notices will be sent to option
holders
28 Date rights trading will begin (if applicable)
29 Date rights trading will end (if applicable)
30 How do +security holders sell their entitlements in full through a broker?
31 How do +security holders sell part of their entitlements through a broker
and accept for the balance?
32 How do +security holders dispose of their entitlements (except by sale
through a broker)?
33 +Despatch date
Part 3 - Quotation of securities
You need only complete this section if you are applying for quotation of
securities
34 Type of securities
(tick one)
(a) Securities described in Part 1
(b) All other securities
Example: restricted securities at the end of the escrowed period, partly paid
securities that become fully paid, employee incentive share securities when
restriction ends, securities issued on expiry or conversion of convertible
securities
Entities that have ticked box 34(a)
Additional securities forming a new class of securities
(If the additional securities do not form a new class, go to 43)
Tick to indicate you are providing the information or documents
35 0 The names of the 20 largest holders of the additional +securities, and the
number and percentage of additional +securities held by those holders
36 0 A distribution schedule of the additional +securities setting out the
number of holders in the categories
1 - 1,000
1,001 - 5,000
5,001 - 10,000
10,001 - 100,000
100,001 and over
37 0 A copy of any trust deed for the additional +securities
(now go to 43)
Entities that have ticked box 34(b)
38 Number of securities for which +quotation is sought
39 Class of +securities for which quotation is sought
40 Do the +securities rank equally in all respects from the date of allotment
with an existing +class of quoted +securities?
If the additional securities do not rank equally, please state:
the date from which they do
the extent to which they participate for the next dividend, (in the case of a
trust, distribution) or interest payment
the extent to which they do not rank equally, other than in relation to the
next dividend, distribution or interest payment
41 Reason for request for quotation now
Example: In the case of restricted securities, end of restriction period
(if issued upon conversion of another security, clearly identify that other
security)
Number +Class
42 Number and +class of all +securities quoted on ASX (including the securities
in clause 38)
(now go to 43)
All entities
Fees
43 Payment method (tick one)
0 Cheque attached
0 Electronic payment made
Note: Payment may be made electronically if Appendix 3B is given to ASX
electronically at the same time.
Periodic payment as agreed with the home branch has been arranged
Note: Arrangements can be made for employee incentive schemes that involve
frequent issues of securities.
Quotation agreement
1 +Quotation of our additional +securities is in ASX's absolute discretion. ASX
may quote the +securities on any conditions it decides.
2 We warrant to ASX that the issue of the +securities to be quoted complies
with the law and is not for an illegal purpose, and that there is no reason why
those +securities should not be granted +quotation. We warrant to ASX that an
offer of the +securities for sale within 12 months after their issue will not
require disclosure under section 707(3) of the Corporations Law.
3 We will indemnify ASX to the fullest extent permitted by law in respect of
any claim, action or expense arising from or connected with any breach of the
warranties in this agreement.
4 We give ASX the information and documents required by this form. If any
information or document not available now, will give it to ASX before
+quotation of the +securities begins. We acknowledge that ASX is relying on the
information and documents. We warrant that they are (will be) true and
complete.
Sign here:
............................................................Date:..13.12.00
(Director/Company secretary)
Print name: Robert Shane ALLAN
|
| December 13, 2000 |
New Issue Announcement: Covering Letter to ASX
Dear Sir,
Please find attached a notification of new issue and quotation announcement
Appendix 3B as a result of WilTel Communications Pty Ltd, a member of Williams
Communications Group of Companies, exercising its options to acquire 44,680,851
PowerTel Limited ordinary shares for a consideration of $21,000,000.
DownTown Utilities Pty Limited have also agreed to exercise their options to
acquire 29,787,234 PowerTel Limited ordinary shares for a consideration of
$14,000,000 within the next month. Further Appendix 3B announcements will be
made as these options are exercised.
The injection of $35 million of additional equity by PowerTel's major
shareholders is an important part of PowerTel's funding plans and demonstrates
ongoing strong support for PowerTel's network construction program and its
strategic direction.
Recently, Williams Communications Group, Inc., in a Form 10-Q Quarterly Report
to the United States Securities & Exchange Commission, made reference to
PowerTel's revenue and borrowing position. These matters had been previously
disclosed to the Australian Stock Exchange in PowerTel's half-year financial
results (Appendix 4B) report on 5 September 2000. For information purposes,
attached is a copy of the "Form 10-Q".
Regards,
SHANE ALLAN
Company Secretary
PowerTel Limited
|
| November 29, 2000 |
Boeing / PowerTel Network launches with Austar
Boeing and PowerTel's joint network, the Pacific Innovation Corridor (PIC), was
launched on the Gold Coast today, with regional pay TV network provider Austar
United Communications as the first customer.
Boeing and PowerTel joined forces in March 2000 to launch the PIC, which
involves an extensive communications network between Brisbane and the Gold
Coast. This network now enables Queensland businesses to compete in the global
market by providing a fully integrated voice, data, video and wireless network
over a high-security environment.
PowerTel has built the 140km fibre optic infrastructure which will link to its
network operations centres in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. The
infrastructure also links with the extensive global network of PowerTel's US
parent company, Williams Communications, via the Southern Cross Cable, and
provides connectivity to 125 cities in the US, as well as Europe, Japan, China
and South America.
As the first customer on the PIC network, Austar will be accessing PowerTel's
national broadband backbone from the Gold Coast to Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra
and Adelaide. PowerTel will also house Austar's high-end routers on its Gold
Coast premises. Boeing Australia provides a wide skill base at the leading edge
of business communications.
Dana Strong, Managing Director of Austar United Broadband said "Boeing/PowerTel
provided Austar with superior service that was flexible and cost effective.
They offered us the opportunity to tie the Gold Coast region into the major
capital city backbone in a timely and efficient manner".
At the launch of the PIC network in Surfer's Paradise, PowerTel's Chief
Executive Officer, Stephen Butler, said, "The Gold Coast region is one of the
fastest growth areas in Australia, and requires a modern cost-effective
broadband infrastructure to sustain its development. It is very important for
this area to have connectivity available at the right price in order to compete
effectively in the e-commerce arena. PowerTel embraces a wide range of systems
and applications, and provides the necessary connectivity with a unique
technology platform that can interface with many diverse technologies".
Boeing, with years of experience within the space and communications arena, has
unique expertise in systems engineering, including the design, build and
support of highly sophisticated virtual infrastructures. Boeing's contribution
to the PIC involves development of an enterprise operations centre (EOC), which
has been designed to address integration issues and deliver solutions that
improve customer service and create business efficiencies. The company's
involvement includes software development, applications development, systems
integration, business systems development, and information and knowledge
management.
Tony Swansson, General Manager Space and Communications Services of Boeing
Australia, said, "We are designing high-powered, secure networks to reduce the
costs of doing e-business. Our relationship with PowerTel provides much needed
broadband connectivity for corporate users and a link into its high-speed
architecture at very competitive rates. Effectively, the network makes virtual
industries possible, with communities of interest such as town centres able to
collaborate for improved efficiencies."
Mr Swansson said Boeing's long experience of creating high-capacity
communications systems was a key to success in the Australian communications
market. "We have significant experience in integration of big databases, and
lots of computing power. The aerospace industry is far-reaching, complex and
fragmented because of its size and the scope of the work. These are some of the
skills Boeing Australia brings to the Pacific Innovation Corridor."
|
| November 28, 2000 |
PowerTel Exceeds Building Access Target
PowerTel Limited, Australia's third largest telecommunications infrastructure
provider, today announced that it is one month ahead of schedule in meeting its
building access target. The company has gained rights of access to 325
buildings throughout key Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane centres, an objective,
which the company had forecast it would achieve by the end of December 2000.
PowerTel's CEO Stephen Butler said, "This is a significant milestone for
PowerTel and one that is crucial to achieving the critical mass we need to meet
customer requirements for end-to-end connectivity.
Mr. Butler also stated that PowerTel has the ability to deliver services to and
from a customer in a building in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne, to a customer
in a building in Australia, the US, Europe or Asia.
"With robust infrastructure within buildings, within and between key cities and
metropolitan areas, and between countries, we are well positioned to deliver
and control quality service from end to end.
"We have put in place a marketing strategy reliant on achieving revenue by
targeting the right customers in the right buildings. The achievement of our
building access target reinforces PowerTel's ability to deliver high-quality
services to our corporate and wholesale customers," said Mr. Butler.
Williams Communications, the US-based parent company of PowerTel, has purchased
capacity on the Southern Cross Cable, which PowerTel has leveraged to open up
global connectivity for the customers.
|
| November 8, 2000 |
PowerTel – Putting the Arts FIRST:Bringing First Lady of Gospel to Sydney
Festival in 2001
PowerTel is putting the arts first in joining with Sydney Festival, Australia's
largest annual cultural event, to bring to Australia for the very first time,
Shirley Caesar. PowerTel is the major sponsor of Opening Night, and is the
Exclusive Telephony Partner of the 25th Sydney Festival.
The tiles of the Opera House will literally lift off when PowerTel brings the
First Lady of Gospel, Shirley Caesar, to the Concert Hall stage as the opening
night performance for the 25th Sydney Festival on Friday January 5th 2001.
PowerTel's CEO Stephen Butler said "PowerTel is proud to be supporting cultural
excellence and the Arts in NSW through our major sponsorship with the Sydney
Festival in 2001. The Festival is a unique event in Sydney's social calendar,
and is renowned for bringing dynamic and innovative performances to our city
each January."
"Most importantly, the Sydney Festival has in the past launched the success of
many of its unique performances, and we look forward to supporting the 2001
performances in gaining the accolades they deserve."
PowerTel has been an avid supporter of the Arts throughout 2000, and will again
be involved in sponsoring the Corporate Viewing of the NSW State Chamber of
Commerce's Archibald Prize in 2001.
|
| October 18, 2000 |
Saise Telecommunications Select PowerTel’s High Speed Delivery Platform
(MELBOURNE, 18th October 2000):
Saise Telecommunications, a leading provider of data, voice and Internet
solutions within the Australian corporate sector, has signed an agreement with
telecommunications carrier PowerTel that will provide Saise with fibre access
to over 300 buildings along the eastern seaboard.
The agreement provides a significant increase in capacity from 2mbps upwards,
to be made available to Saise customers, who require high-speed broadband
connectivity for the delivery of data, voice and Internet services.
Director of Saise Telecommunications, Jeff Marshall said "Saise is set to
become the first Telecommunications Company in Australia to provide online
provisioning of data, voice and Internet services with interactive on-line
customer care. The increased capacity available to us through our agreement
with PowerTel is essential to delivering an effective online business."
PowerTel have completed their core network build which links the key CBD's of
Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, with more than 2400 kilometres of
fibre deployed to date. While revenue based network expansions continue,
PowerTel is now well under way with its customer development plans.
PowerTel's CEO, Stephen Butler said "Our aim is to deliver plenty of high-speed
bandwidth on demand. The growth we are seeing in the online environment, with
Internet traffic doubling approximately every 100 days, will continue to be
tremendous. Saise Telecommunications is an important new wholesale customer.
Our agreement provides mutual benefits as our platform enables scalable growth
for Saise and their customers, while at the same time significantly increasing
traffic on the PowerTel network".
Saise Telecommunications were formed in 1998 to provide bundled solutions for
the corporate market including secure data networks, long distance and calls to
mobiles, PABX hardware, and direct connection for data, voice, fax, video
conferencing and Internet traffic. With the highest corporate client retention
rate in the telecommunications industry Saise is well positioned to capitalise
on the dynamic growth in data over the next few years.
|
| September 28, 2000 |
Amcom Links With PowerTel Through Landmark Access Agreements
Landmark agreements announced today between Amcom Telecommunications Limited
(ASX: AMM) and PowerTel Limited (ASX: PWT) will position the high-speed
carriers to offer truly national end-to-end optic fibre solutions across each
other's networks.
Perth-based Amcom and Sydney-based PowerTel have signed Master Service
Agreements (MSA's), laying the foundation for a complementary network offering
which leverages their respective regional positions in the delivery of
end-to-end telecommunication services nationally. Both companies will be able
to purchase services for their corporate and government customers on mutually
agreed terms of supply.
The agreements form a key component of Amcom's national network strategy,
linking its last mile and last inch fibre optic networks (over 200 buildings
accessed) in the key commercial and population centres of Perth, Adelaide,
Darwin and Hobart as well as its intercapital long haul carriage services, with
PowerTel's extensive East Coast network.
Representing Australia's third-largest fibre optic network infrastructure,
PowerTel's coverage includes the major population centres of Brisbane, Sydney,
Melbourne, Canberra and the Gold Coast, with adjoining intercapital networks,
metropolitan expansions, last mile and last inch access to over 300 buildings
in the key business districts. PowerTel has also leveraged capacity on the
Southern Cross Cable through their parent company Williams Communications,
offering international connectivity to the United States, Europe, South
America, Japan and China.
Amcom's Managing Director, Mr Andy McLean, said: "These are significant
agreements, which bring together the complementary strengths of the two
companies, which are pursuing similar strategies as wholesale bandwidth
providers in different market segments."
"Amcom's focus has been on developing 'last mile' networks in metropolitan
centres outside of the East Coast in conjunction with long-haul services
between these centres - delivered either through Amcom-owned or leased
intercapital links. PowerTel's strengths are on the East Coast, where it has
extensive network coverage both within and between the major population
centres," he added.
PowerTel's CEO, Mr Stephen Butler said, "We are delighted to welcome Amcom as a
significant new wholesale customer. We look forward to growing our business
through mutual success and intend to take full advantage of the growing Amcom
infrastructure for our own corporate customer base."
Under the reciprocal agreements between Amcom and PowerTel, customers of each
network will gain access to a much larger and rapidly growing national
telecommunications grid using the latest optic fibre and ATM switching
technology, providing scalable bandwidth on the same competitive terms as they
currently enjoy.
Amcom has already deployed high-speed networks in strategically located
metropolitan centres and plans to increase its 'last mile' coverage
significantly over the next few years. It also provides long-haul services
linking customers in these centres, with plans well advanced to significantly
expand these services.
Yesterday, the Company added a significant international dimension to its
national network strategy, announcing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with
Singapore Telecom (SingTel) involving the reciprocal supply of trans-Australian
bandwidth to the pan-Asian telco giant and providing Amcom with access to
SingTel's international optic fibre network. This MOU is expected to increase
Amcom's network traffic and deliver substantial new revenue streams.
PowerTel owns and manages intracity and intercapital fibre links along the
eastern seaboard of Australia servicing the corporate and wholesale market
segments. Its network is projected to directly cover approximately 85% of
typical corporate customers' calling patterns in Australia and addresses around
70% of their target segments telecommunications spend. PowerTel provides a full
suite of data and voice services including ATM., Frame Relay, and Leased Line
Services, along with Co-locate, Telehousing and Managed Router Services. They
have recently moved into their third phase of product development which
includes Internet services and Internet Protocol Virtual Private Networks
(IP-VPN).
|
| September 25, 2000 |
Davnet Limited Significantly Boosts Its Australian Presence With Deal To Reach
Business Users Through PowerTel’s 2,400km Fibre Optic Network
Davnet Limited, a global Internet Protocol-based carrier, has signed an
agreement with Australian telecommunications carrier PowerTel that will provide
Davnet with intercity and intracity capacity including access to an additional
300 major buildings in three leading Australian cities.
The deal effectively quadruples the number of properties in Australia that can
access Davnet's leading edge, scaleable, broadband telecommunications services
through a single high-speed digital socket. It also allows Davnet to increase
its geographic market reach speedily.
Under the contract signed by both parties, Davnet Limited will use the PowerTel
high-speed broadband fibre optic network to access buildings within key central
business districts (CBDs) in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
According to Hal Turner, Davnet Limited's Group Chief Operating Officer, "We
are delighted to develop our relationship with Powertel. This agreement forms
an important component in our global strategy of teaming up with partners in
order to quickly roll out delivery of reliable, innovative, scaleable,
broadband solutions to business users in Australia, Asia and North America."
"Through Powertel's robust and highly scalable network we can aggregate
Internet, data, voice, and video high bandwidth communications over one Davnet
socket in each office at competitive prices. Our goal is to help businesses run
their IT networks better, faster, and more economically."
To date PowerTel has deployed more than 2,400 kilometres of fibre optic cable,
with intercity and intracity routes in place, and over 300 major buildings
accessed. PowerTel is increasing its building penetration rapidly with, on an
average, an additional six to eight buildings joining its network each week.
PowerTel may also utilise the existing Davnet network and has purchased some
domestic Internet transit from Davnet, along with international Internet
transit as an interim measure until the Southern Cross Cable is operational.
PowerTel's CEO, Stephen Butler said, "Our wholesale business model is based upon
enabling the competitive environment to grow. We are delighted to be working
with Davnet in a customer relationship that utilises both skill sets and will
capitalise on the strength of PowerTel's infrastructure."
|
| September 5, 2000 |
PowerTel Announces Half-Year Results - Network Operational and Future Funding
in Place
The Chairman of PowerTel Limited, John Bumgarner, today announced PowerTel,
Australia's third largest telecommunications infrastructure provider, made an
operating loss after tax and abnormals of $26.7 million for the six months to
30 June 2000. This compares with losses of $15.1 million for the previous
corresponding period and $23.3 million for the half year to 31 December 1999.
The sale of the mobile business in June resulted in an abnormal gain of $2.4
million, which was partly offset by a $1.3 million write-off of infrastructure.
Sales revenue was $18.7 million (1999: $25.6 million), following
rationalisation of the company's residential customer base to eliminate lower
margin business, and the sale of the mobile business. The gross margin on fixed
wireline business increased to 17.4 per cent from 3.9 per cent in the first
half of 1999.
Operating costs increased to $21.4 million (1999: $12.2 million) due to the
establishment of sales, marketing and customer care resources. All start-up
costs were written off to expenses, apart from investment of $2.2 million in
network construction.
Stephen Butler, Chief Executive Officer, said: 'We have made substantial
progress since the beginning of the year. At the Annual General Meeting in May
2000 we set ourselves three objectives:
|
Completion of our Sydney to Melbourne link in June 2000.
|
|
Access to 325 buildings by the end of December 2000.
|
|
Positive EBITDA for the third or fourth quarter of
2001. |
We achieved the June completion date for the Melbourne link and we have already
accessed 292 buildings and are confident we will reach the 325 target before
the end of December 2000.
'PowerTel has built a multi-city fibre optic data network infrastructure which
has to date been entirely financed by equity and is on budget. As previously
announced, PowerTel has an underwritten A$300 million bank facility which will
allow us to fund our future growth plans.'
'Now that our 2,400km east coast network is operational, we are in a strong
position to build our corporate customer base. We have appointed an experienced
sales and marketing executive to lead the sales program, and now have a
50-strong sales team, based in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, structured by
corporate market sector, and a wholesale team focusing on existing carriers,
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) providers and Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
'Our competitive prices and speed of delivery have already enabled us to win
contracts from leading businesses in the Banking, Insurance, Accounting and
Information Technology sectors. We are also achieving success in selling
intercapital and intracapital bandwidth to the wholesale market and have
secured contracts with 25% of the licensed carriers in Australia. Last week we
were accredited as a supplier to the New South Wales Government.
'PowerTel is Australia's lowest cost telecommunications infrastructure
provider, providing a full range of voice, internet and data products, and is
well placed to secure an increasing share of the fast growing data market. Our
advanced network design eliminates layers of costly equipment; access to
Downtown Utilities' electricity ducts reduces the cost of laying fibre and
ensures the quickest installation and delivery; and our strategy of focusing on
the wholesale and corporate sectors will enable us to contain marketing and
customer service costs. |
| August 30, 2000 |
PowerTel Appointed to NSW Government Contract for Telecommunications Services -
New Rural Development Fund Created
PowerTel today announced its appointment to the NSW Government Contract for
Telecommunications Services. As a member of the telecommunications service
delivery panel, PowerTel can now supply voice and other telecommunication
services direct to NSW Government agencies.
PowerTel is one of the suppliers awarded to the Contract. PowerTel is a new
"Communities of Interest" supplier providing competition in a wide range of
telecommunications services.
PowerTel's CEO Stephen Butler said "Our appointment to the Panel signifies
exciting new business opportunities for PowerTel. It is also pleasing to see
the NSW Government supporting competition in a rapidly growing deregulated
market. We believe this increased competition is driving demand for a higher
quality of service, increased access for bandwidth driven applications and
overall better value for money. The result will mean more and more businesses
are able to reap the benefits of moving on-line. PowerTel has built the
high-speed broadband platform to meet and exceed this demand and we look
forward to enabling government agencies to enjoy the same on-line advantages as
our corporate customers."
As part of its tender submission, PowerTel is developing an initiative to
support improving regional communications, with five percent of every dollar
spent on NSW Government contracts on the PowerTel network to be placed into a
NSW Rural Development Fund. The development fund will be used to implement a
community based telecommunications interface between PowerTel and end users and
will also provide funding for non-urban telecommunications infrastructure in
NSW regions. Shortly, PowerTel will commence discussions with the Department of
Information Technology and Management's officers on details including funding
administration, community input and the identification of suitable
telecommunication projects.
PowerTel's CEO Stephen Butler said " The PowerTel Rural Development Fund
supports a consultative approach to the development of regional communications.
In this way, communities are provided with an opportunity to become involved in
the process. We believe the initiative will have very real benefits for NSW
communities and we encourage other organisations to consider a similar model."
PowerTel will leverage its relationship with regional suppliers of high
capacity bandwidth such as Soul Pattinson Telecommunications to provide
telecommunications service coverage in PowerTel's off-net locations.
Independent industry reports indicate the old Panel consisted of two core
members in 1999, each vying for a share of the estimated $150 million
(excluding mobile telephony) annual telecommunications spend. PowerTel's
service offering to government agencies will include dedicated voice services,
long distance voice services via pre-selection and least cost routing, Centrex
and leased lines.
The contract is for an initial period of three years with the potential for two
twelve-month extensions.
|
| August 14, 2000 |
CacheFlow delivers PowerTel’s need for speed
PowerTel announced today that it has selected CacheFlow® Inc. to provide
internet caching appliances for its IP network infrastructure. PowerTel will
use CacheFlow's technology to increase the performance of its Internet Services
for corporate and wholesale clients.
Internet caching equipment allows regularly accessed web data to be stored
locally and then retrieved for later use. This will result in considerable
bandwidth savings for PowerTel, as backhaul traffic from the US, where eighty
five percent of internet content is currently housed, will be markedly reduced.
As data can be obtained from the cache server rather than a remote host, the
time to access this information is reduced dramatically.
"CacheFlow's solution will help PowerTel provide optimal Internet performance
to their corporate and wholesale customers, whilst making the most efficient
use of available bandwidth. Deployment of our appliances within PowerTel's
infrastructure will assist them to deliver the best web site response times
possible" said Neal Meharg, Regional Director for CacheFlow Australia and New
Zealand.
CacheFlow's technology will provide significant benefits for PowerTel's
Telehousing customers. By enhancing Internet performance, customer websites
will be able to deliver faster response times for their applications and the
high level of scalability that is needed to attract and retain online
customers.
PowerTel's CEO Stephen Butler said " We look forward to developing our
relationship with CacheFlow. As our Australian customers capitalise on the
scalable bandwidth now available by moving their business on line, it is
essential that we are able to provide our customers with the best possible
Internet performance. Together with their support offering, CacheFlow's
appliances will afford us the improvements in response time and bandwidth
efficiencies that will enable our high speed broadband platform to deliver this
performance for our customers".
Both CacheFlow and PowerTel will be represented at ISPCon 2000 which begins
today in Melbourne. ISPCon is the world's largest networking conference and
exhibition of and for the Internet Service Provider Industry, its suppliers and
specialist media. Patrick Choi, PowerTel's Director of Strategic Alliance and
Product Development, is presenting on the topic of Virtual ISP - The Changing
Paradigm for ISPs.
|
| August 10, 2000 |
PowerTel Announces Appointment of Director, Sales & Marketing
PowerTel announced today the appointment of Neil Verrall to the position of
Director, Sales & Marketing. In his new role Mr Verrall will be responsible
for the total revenue generation for PowerTel's sales within the Australian
telecommunications marketplace.
PowerTel's CEO, Stephen Butler said "Neil brings to us more than eighteen years
of telecommunications experience and this will be invaluable to PowerTel as we
develop our customer base. We look forward to leveraging Neil's strategic
strength in building business relationships with our key corporate and
wholesale customers."
Previously Mr Verrall was National General Manager of Retail and Wholesale
Trade, Major Account Sales for Telstra Business Solutions, where he was
responsible for managing the total sales relationship with Australia's major
retail and wholesale trade customers.
Mr Verrall also brings considerable expertise in business partnering programs,
developing sales and marketing alliances with key IT&T organisations
including Cisco Systems, Nortel, Unisys and NEC.
Mr Verrall said "Speed to market, absolute customer focus, leading edge
technology and a low cost infrastructure enables Powertel to provide a unique
offering for corporate and wholesale customers alike. I am excited about the
business opportunities that PowerTel represents."
"In less than two years, PowerTel has built an extensive network from Brisbane
via Sydney to Melbourne, a network at the forefront on new technologies such as
MPLS. Without the old legacy systems, Powertel can ensure our customers have
the in built flexibility critical in today's fast moving market. I am delighted
to be working with the Sales, Marketing and Customer Care teams to strengthen
PowerTel's position as the carrier of choice in this market" said Mr Verrall.
Mr Verrall has a Bachelor of Arts degree, and a post graduate degree in
Management and Policy Administration.
|
| July 14, 2000 |
PowerTel and Min-Tech 8 Sign Reseller Agreement
PowerTel Ltd and Min-Tech 8 today announced an agreement by which Min-Tech 8
will have access to PowerTel's eastern seaboard fibre optic network. The two
companies have signed a reseller agreement in which PowerTel will supply high
speed broadband connectivity and capacity, enabling Min-Tech 8 to deliver
quicker, more efficient and cost effective data and telephone carriage to rural
and regional Australia.
Pat Volpe, Min-Tech 8's Executive Chairman commented " the reseller arrangement
with PowerTel adds to the completeness of our National and Regional Carriage
network. We are now able to wholesale high speed broad band to the Australian
market and will work with PowerTel to provide our customers with communication
economies".
"Min-Tech 8's regional "Smart City" strategy can now be fast tracked by the
access to high speed broadband which will be coupled with our infrastructure
and microdisk systems. We can provide the most efficient and modern technology
required to rural and regional Australia. We will integrate with these
communities, their members and businesses, to become the 'Smart City'".
Min-Tech 8 Directors believe that the provision of faster regional data,
Internet and e-commerce services will enable regional communities and business
to compete in new and growing global markets. Min-Tech 8 intends to establish
relationships with key organisations throughout Australia, such as PowerTel, in
order to deliver new telecommunication services and have access to larger
bandwidth. The establishment of the "Smart City" is a key element in delivering
economical telecommunications solutions for regional B2B and B2C requirements.
Stephen Butler, PowerTel's CEO commented " complementing Min-Tech 8's regional
coverage with PowerTel's national network capabilities will enable the
provision of high speed communications services to these regional areas. This
agreement reinforces our commitment to enable wholesalers in regional and metro
areas to expand and enhance their services."
Min-Tech 8 recently announced the formation of Regional and Rural
Telecommunications (RRT) and the acquisition of Countrytowns.com.au. RRT has
been established to market Min-Tech 8's telecommunications services into
regional and rural Australia. RRT will establish Geelong and Ballarat as "Smart
Cities" and deliver complete video and fast digital data communications within
the region. Countrytowns.com.au provides the e-commerce B2B and B2C portal and
will establish the home branding and carriage / ISP services into the country
regions.
PowerTel commenced operations in 1998 and is focused on providing communications
solutions to the corporate and wholesale markets in Australia. PowerTel has
deployed the third largest fibre optic infrastructure in Australia, having
recently completed their Sydney to Melbourne network build in June 2000.
|
| July 12, 2000 |
PowerTel First Carrier to use Cisco MPLS Technology for Corporate Solutions in
Australia
PowerTel today announced the launch of Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)
technology, provided by Cisco Systems, the worldwide leader in networking for
the Internet. Enabled by their Multi-Service Network Architecture, the
deployment of MPLS will add value and business features to PowerTel's existing
product portfolio.
MPLS is a globally emerging technology that provides significant business
benefits for Service Providers and their customers. MPLS works by tagging data
packets with information - or "labels" which specify route and service
attributes, helping to speed packets to their destination with greater
efficiency than a conventionally routed network.
MPLS facilitates networking efficiencies by allowing network managers the
ability to provision bandwidth and quality of service. MPLS technology is
expected to be particularly effective for businesses wishing to extend their
mission critical, intranet-based applications to remote offices, mobile users
and telecommuters.
MPLS also enables businesses to extend extranet links to their business
partners, suppliers, key customers and communities of interest. It provides for
applications such as on-line purchasing, and enables secure priority based
access to authorised VPN (Virtual Private Networks) members.
PowerTel's CEO, Stephen Butler said, "For most companies, the starting point is
to connect widely dispersed workgroups in an efficient and cost effective
manner. The IP VPN environment provides an excellent vehicle to achieve maximum
reach at minimal cost. MPLS technology will take us another step closer to
achieving the quality of service that will enable Australian business to
operate effectively on-line both locally and globally, with a guaranteed 24 x 7
service offering that can accommodate mission critical applications."
Cisco Systems Managing Director, Australia & New Zealand, Terry Walsh, said
MPLS is increasingly being recognised by New World Service Providers and their
customers as a logical enhancement to their VPN solutions.
"Businesses such as computer and communications companies, insurance, real
estate, banking, finance and manufacturing are adopting VPN in place of private
line or alternative data communications services to accommodate their
increasing data communications needs," Mr Walsh said.
"With Cisco's MPLS technology, Service Providers such as PowerTel can construct
highly scaleable and flexible IP Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) which support
multiple service levels and therefore better serve their customers."
The new deployment will fully inter-operate with PowerTel's existing
Cisco-based high speed ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) network and will be
used to improve performance and management of IP over ATM integration, Traffic
Engineering and Virtual Private Networks. PowerTel has already deployed the
Cisco ATM network solution to over 150 points of presence in the capital cities
of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra and will grow the
network to over 325 points of presence by the end of 2000.
With MPLS, PowerTel customers will be able to prioritise traffic as labels are
assigned automatically reducing manual intervention. As MPLS uses predefined
sets of labels for each service class, switches automatically know which
traffic requires priority queuing. The result is a guaranteed service delivery
based upon application level service class priorities such as disaster
recovery, TDM-quality real time voice, and real time video.
"We will begin to see more and more businesses able to control and grow their
networks. Customers will be able to apply their own specific business policy to
each Virtual Private Network to control security issues as access privileges,
authorisation and accounting for remote users. They will be able to prioritise
traffic and optimise their use of bandwidth where and when it is needed the
most," said Mr Butler.
PowerTel has successfully completed MPLS trials and will be phasing in new
service offerings over the next six months, with the first phase available to
customers by September 2000.
|
| June 28, 2000 |
PowerTel Meets Target with Melbourne Network Link
PowerTel today announced the completion of their Sydney to Melbourne network
link. The Sydney to Melbourne high speed system now completes the network
infrastructure linking the eastern seaboard capital cities with 2,100
kilometres in less than two years.
PowerTel's CEO, Stephen Butler said "This is a significant milestone for
PowerTel and a testament to our commitment to the Australian market. In a
little over eighteen months we have designed and built the third largest fibre
optic infrastructure in Australia."
"We have already seen the impact of our presence in the marketplace by enabling
scalable data communications solutions for corporate and wholesale customers.
We expect competitive activity to increase exponentially with a resulting
reduction in prices for Australian business. We believe this will foster
overall growth of electronic commerce applications, which in turn will increase
demand for bandwidth" said Mr Butler.
Melbourne to Sydney traffic is estimated at approximately 60% of the total
telecommunications revenue on the eastern seaboard. PowerTel expects to
capitalise on this revenue opportunity, meeting corporate and wholesale
customers requirements for scalable bandwidth now that their Sydney and
Melbourne CBD/Metro optical networks are linked via the intercapital system.
Examples of products and services in use by PowerTel customers between Sydney
to Melbourne include Leased Line, Frame Relay, Asynchronous Transfer Mode
(ATM), Managed Router Services, LAN Bridging, Centrex, Voice and Internet.
Mr Butler said "The next wave of data driven applications is expected to result
in tremendous volumes of traffic on to our network and will fundamentally
change the face of the communications industry in Australia. Consider the
potential for a business to sell on-line video between Sydney and Melbourne.
Applications such as this require scalable bandwidth to meet a corresponding
increase in demand. However, with high speed leased line services averaging
more than $4 million per annum this business model is very difficult to justify
on a cost per user basis. When bandwidth costs are reduced comparable to other
markets where open competition exists, business models such as this can
succeed."
PowerTel has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with key shareholder
Williams Communications for capacity on the Southern Cross cable, providing
customers with direct connectivity from Australia to the United States, where
around 85% of the internet content sites originate. With Melbourne internet
usage ranking second in Australia, a high percentage of traffic to Southern
Cross along the Sydney to Melbourne intercapital route will be required to
service the growing demand for scalable solutions.
Demand for Internet and multi media applications is forecast to grow by a
factor of three every five years, translating into an exponential increase in
demand for bandwidth. PowerTel's fibre network has been designed to match this
demand, by deploying Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) equipment on this
route. PowerTel chose DWDM with its ability today to scale up to 80 Gbps on a
single platform. This was in response to customer feedback which indicated that
applications such as LAN Bridging would require the telecommunications network
to scale to match gigabit per second speeds now prevalent on many corporate
LAN's.
PowerTel will continue its network expansion with plans approved for St Kilda
Road in Melbourne, metro fibre builds in Sydney and the Pacific Innovation
Corridor link from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, culminating in more than 2,400
kilometres of fibre deployed by December 2000.
PowerTel has service agreements in place with Boeing Australia, Soul Pattinson
Telecommunications, Vodafone, Macquarie Corporate and Ue Comm.
|
| June 23, 2000 |
Ue Comm and PowerTel Link Eastern Seaboard
A new deal between two of Australia's fastest growing telecommunications
carriers, Ue Comm and PowerTel, means that businesses on Australia's eastern
seaboard now have increased options for providers of end to end optic fibre
solutions.
The agreement links Ue Comm's fibre networks in the metropolitan areas of
Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane via PowerTel's interstate network, dramatically
increasing the communications capabilities of both organisations.
Ue Comm's Managing Director, Keith Ondarchie, said that the agreement will
bring benefits for customers of both carriers. "Customers of both Ue Comm and
PowerTel can now take advantage of their carrier's increased service potential.
With two substantial players now able to supply compatible services, customers
can also expect all the flow-on benefits of increased competition."
Mr Ondarchie's sentiment was echoed by PowerTel Chief Executive Officer Stephen
Butler.
"We welcome the opportunity to develop our relationship with Ue Comm. Both
companies have fostered growth within the wholesale market in the relatively
short time since deregulation. We believe Australian business will benefit from
a true choice that can deliver the speed and reliability that any successful
business must have." said Mr Butler.
PowerTel commenced operations in 1998 and today has deployed the third largest
infrastructure in Australia. Their Sydney to Melbourne network build currently
has less than five kilometres to go and is on target for completion by the end
of June 2000.
Ue Comm was established in 1997 as a subsidiary of United Energy, Australia's
third largest energy distribution and retail company. Today, Ue Comm has
expanding metropolitan networks in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
|
| May 15, 2000 |
PowerTel Limited Annual General Meeting
The Chairman of PowerTel Limited, John Bumgarner, today announced progress over
the past twelve months along with his outlook for the company.
Mr Bumgarner said "Our progress has been significant. In just over eighteen
months PowerTel has built the third largest telecommunications infrastructure
in Australia; and we are the fastest growing Telecommunications Company. We
have fostered growth and competition within an industry where a duopoly has
ruled for quite some time."
PowerTel's Sydney to Brisbane link of more than 1,000 kilometers was completed
on time in September 1999, however, the Melbourne link has been delayed about
four months. The Melbourne link has less than 100 kilometers to go and will be
completed in June. To date PowerTel have achieved 2,100 kilometers of network
deployed.
Building access, with 165 buildings accessed to date has been steady although
slower than originally planned. The target of 325 buildings equipped is
expected to be met on time in December 2000.
The impact of these delays has required a review of PowerTel's revenue
projections, which now suggests an EBITDA positive forecast of Q3 or Q4 2001.
PowerTel today announced an alliance with Williams Communications, their major
shareholder who has purchased bandwidth on the Southern Cross cable. "Our
alliance with Williams enables PowerTel to provide international internet and
business to business connectivity for the Australian market that is second to
none" said Mr Bumgarner.
Achievements over the past twelve months have included the launch of core
services: Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Leased Line and Frame Relay
services, along with value added offerings Centrex, Co-locate and Managed
Router Services. Development over the next twelve months and beyond will focus
on enterprise solutions including wholesale dial up internet services, Internet
Protocol Virtual Private Networks (IP-VPN) and e-commerce applications, as
PowerTel moves from a construction to customer focus.
In December 1999, PowerTel announced an alliance with Boeing Australia Limited
for the development of a secure e-commerce platform. The complementary skills
of Boeing as a world class systems integrator combines with PowerTel's
high-speed broadband infrastructure to provide customers with high-end, secure
business to business e-commerce solutions. The first collaborative project "The
Pacific Innovation Corridor", involves building a fibre link between Brisbane
and the Gold Coast. The link is expected to be completed in October 2000.
PowerTel has continued its rationalisation program with the recent sale of the
mobile reseller customer base to Vodafone. This removes the majority of
original Spectrum business purchased by PowerTel in 1998. PowerTel is focused
on building and operating a state of the art fibre-based network, providing
corporate and wholesale customers a true third choice of infrastructure
offering.
"I am confident that PowerTel is in an excellent position to take advantage of
the exploding demand for bandwidth globally. As this demand reaches the
Australian shoreline the strategic relationship with Williams will enable
PowerTel to provide a superior end-to-end service on a global footing" said
Bumgarner.
In other announcements PowerTel Director Hank Kolesnik retired at the Annual
General Meeting and was replaced by Rod Sailor, currently Vice President of
International Corporate Development for Williams Communications Group Inc's
International Strategic Investments.
|
| May 15, 2000 |
PowerTel and Williams Communications Link Next-Generation Networks in Australia
and U.S.
PowerTel Ltd (ASX:PWT) and Williams Communications (NYSE:WCG) are establishing
new high-speed links between their market-leading networks in the United States
and Australia, opening the Australian market to full participation in the
explosive growth of the global Internet.
In conjunction with the agreement between PowerTel and Williams Communications,
Williams has acquired significant capacity on the Southern Cross Cable Network,
an undersea fibre optic cable linking Australia and New Zealand with Hawaii and
the West Coast of the United States. Southern Cross is expected to begin
carrying traffic in November, offering hundreds of times the capacity of
current cables serving Australia.
"Our agreement with Williams Communications underscores our view that Australia
is primed to be a major participant in a global economy driven by electronic
commerce," said Stephen Butler, Chief Executive Officer of PowerTel. "With
Southern Cross as a high-capacity link between our two next-generation
networks, we will effectively remove the bandwidth bottleneck that has
constrained many companies in Australia from extending their reach throughout
the Pacific, to the U.S. and to the global marketplace."
In a Memorandum of Understanding, the companies have agreed to work together to
develop a complete set of data and voice products and to send traffic to each
other's networks on a "preferred vendor" basis. The agreement will see PowerTel
and Williams Communications serving a market in which analysts expect to see a
doubling of traffic volumes each year for the next five years.
"Williams Communications' new capacity on the Southern Cross network enhances
the company's role as a worldwide provider of connectivity for the carrier
market," said Howard Janzen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Williams
Communications. "We are especially pleased to complete the physical connection
with our strategic ally PowerTel - an alliance that will provide customers both
in the U.S. and Australia with unsurpassed products and services."
The agreement further reinforces the strategic link between PowerTel and
Williams. Williams is a significant shareholder in PowerTel and has played a
strong role in the development of the company since it began building
Australia's first next-generation network in August 1998. PowerTel now operates
the third largest telecommunications infrastructure in Australia, having
established fibre optic links between Brisbane and Sydney and is close to
completing its Melbourne link. CBD networks have also been built and continue
to expand within and around the main technology centres of Sydney, Melbourne
and Brisbane.
The robust global framework of Williams Communications fully leverages their
strong presence in the U.S. carrier marketplace and will provide PowerTel with
additional opportunities for bandwidth links in the future.
Williams Communications has capacity agreements in place for fibre-optic cables
between the U.S. and Europe; cables connecting the U.S. with China and Japan
and an intra-Asian submarine cable linking important financial capitals
throughout the Pacific Rim.
Williams Communications' award-winning U. S. network has more than 24,000 route
miles in operation with a planned total of 33,000 route miles connecting 125
cities by the end of this year. Williams typically installs ninety-six to 144
fibres in every network build with multiple conduits, leaving spare conduits
open to meet future needs. The fully integrated architecture of the Williams
Multi-Service Broadband NetworkT couples ATM core switching with advanced
optical networking technologies to provide carriers with data, voice, video and
Internet services.
|
| May 11, 2000 |
PowerTel and Soul Pattinson Telecommunications form 'Strategic Relationship'
PowerTel, Australia's fastest growing telecommunications carrier, announced
today a Strategic Relationship with Soul Pattinson Telecommunications (SPT) for
the delivery of full network services. The deal is expected to generate in
excess of $30m in revenues in the short to middle term for both parties.
Stephen Butler, PowerTel's CEO said, "We welcome SPT as a new and valued
relationship for PowerTel. It is pleasing to see our vision of enabling
wholesalers to operate effectively in the Australian market come to fruition.
Our relationship is not only as a provider, but extends to new and
complementary markets as we continue to focus on the main CBD areas, while SPT
grows their regional focus. SPT and PowerTel have formed a joint sales and
marketing committee to explore these opportunities. This represents a new
wholesale paradigm shift as we work together to enable a better solution for
our customers".
The agreement provides both parties with a fully diverse network offering, as
the existing SPT microwave network is complemented by PowerTel's fibre optic
network, and allows the parties to offer customers true diversity. Even the
path into the building is diverse, as SPT utilises roof space, while PowerTel
enter via the energy ducts in the basement of buildings.
The agreement also enhances each parties regional coverage with PowerTel
gaining access to the SPT network in regional Australia and SPT having access
to the extensive fibre network of PowerTel in and between the eastern seaboard
capital cities.
Mr Rob Millner, Chairman of SPT said, "This is a unique offering in Australia.
PowerTel and SPT have been able to join together two complementary technologies
to provide a superior service offering. We see great potential for improving
and increasing the telecommunications services available to regional
Australia."
"Our supplier arrangements are also complementary, as we use the same Nortel
Networks infrastructure termination and network management services adopted by
PowerTel. This enables a highly resilient network, which is designed to meet
the technical demands of digital television broadcasting in addition to that of
other quality carriers and carriage providors. Our service level agreements
show our commitment to quality of service" said Mr Millner.
The SPT network from Sydney to Brisbane is nearing completion and over the next
twelve months SPT plans to complete its Sydney to Melbourne network and further
expansion plans are already in place. Key targets for the partners are
television broadcasters, government and banking sectors where high quality,
highly secure networks are required.
SPT owns and operates a high capacity, digital broadband telecommunications
network. SPT have drawn on the telecommunications and commercial television
broadcasting experience of the NBN Television Group, a Channel Nine affiliate.
SPT is a wholly owned subsidiary of Washington H Soul Pattinson, a publicly
listed Australian company.
|
| May 10, 2000 |
PowerTel selects Nortel Networks Remote Access for Wholesale Service Provider
Solution
SYDNEY, Australia - Australian telecommunications carrier PowerTel [ASX: PWT]
has selected Nortel Networks* [NYSE/TSE: NT] to provide the remote access
infrastructure for its nationwide wholesale service provider network under a
contract estimated to be worth more than US$11 million.
PowerTel (www.powertel.com.au
) plans to use this new access network to provision dial-up Internet access to
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Applications Service Providers (ASPs)
across Australia. Powertel will also provide associated operational support
systems, enabling ISPs and ASPs to maintain their focus on core business
competencies by cost-effectively outsourcing network infrastructure
requirements.
"PowerTel is committed to being the communications solutions provider of choice
to corporate and wholesale markets in Australia," said Stephen Butler, chief
executive officer, PowerTel. "The unique design of our fiber optic ATM backbone
and state-of-the-art Network Operations Center means we can provide an IP
infrastructure that enables Internet and applications service providers to
focus on their core business."
"PowerTel is ideally positioned to benefit from the next phase of Internet
growth in Australia, where new players are using the Web for innovative
customer solutions," said Kym Evans, general manager, Carrier Accounts for
Nortel Networks in Australia and New Zealand. "Cost-effective Internet access
adds an important piece to the overall solution PowerTel can now offer its
wholesale carrier customers."
"Nortel Networks has been pivotal in the establishment of our network to date
through their provisioning of our voice switching and transmission equipment,"
Butler said. "We look forward to extending this strategic relationship into the
Internet Services domain, with Nortel Networks providing us the equipment,
services and most importantly quality of service that will culminate in a high
performance, stable and secure wholesale dial-up network."
Nortel Networks is a global leader in telephony, data, eBusiness, and wireless
solutions for the Internet. The Company had 1999 U.S. GAAP revenues of US$21.3
billion and serves carrier, service provider and enterprise customers globally.
Today, Nortel Networks is creating a high-performance Internet that is more
reliable and faster than ever before. It is redefining the economics and
quality of networking and the Internet through Unified Networks* that promise a
new era of collaboration, communications and commerce. Visit us at
www.nortelnetworks.com.
|
| May 10, 2000 |
Notice of Meeting
PowerTel's Annual General Meeting will be held on:
Date: Monday 15th May
Time: 11am
Location: Australian Stock Exchange, Sydney
For further information please contact:
Mrs Sonya Crosby,
Investor & Public Relations Manager,
PowerTel
Tel 61 2 8235 3865.
crosbys@powertel.com.au
|
| May 9, 2000 |
PowerTel transfers mobile management to Vodafone
Telecommunications carrier PowerTel Ltd today announced the transfer of its
current mobile customer base to Vodafone, who have agreed to purchase active
customers as at 31 May, 2000. PowerTel inherited the Vodafone mobile reseller
business when it purchased Spectrum Network Systems in August 1998, and over
the past twelve months have implemented a program of rationalisation, including
the removal of low margin resale trading.
PowerTel's focus is completing the build of a high-speed fibre optic
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) infrastructure along the eastern seaboard of
Australia. To date more than 1900 kilometres of fibre have been laid and
expansion plans are to continue deploying fibre within the key CBD's and
technology centres.
PowerTel's CEO, Stephen Butler said "It is entirely appropriate for this
reseller business to be purchased by Vodafone, where mobile management is a
core focus. Vodafone's systems and support mechanisms have been developed
specifically to service this area and our existing mobile customers will be
well catered for. We continue to work closely with Vodafone in developing our
complementary skill sets".
Vodafone has been responsible for the provision of mobile network services to
PowerTel customers. These customers will now receive their entire service
offering through Vodafone, including billing and customer care services.
PowerTel's core product suite consists of data and voice services, with a
growing focus on added value services heralded by the recent launch of their
managed router services, along with an outsourced arrangement for the PABX
called Centrex, and Internet connectivity.
PowerTel is now the third largest telecommunications carrier in Australia in
infrastructure size, having established fibre optic links between Brisbane and
Sydney, while close to completing the Melbourne link. CBD networks have also
been built and continue to expand within and around the main technology centres
of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
|
| April 12, 2000 |
New Board Member at PowerTel Limited
Further to PowerTel Limited's announcement on 6 April 2000 regarding the
appointment of Mr Stephen Butler as PowerTel's Chief Executive Officer, Mr
Stephen Butler has been appointed to the Board of PowerTel effective today.
|
| April 6th, 2000 |
New Chief Executive at PowerTel Limited
PowerTel, which is nearing completion of its fibre-optic communications network
serving Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, will transition to new leadership as it
moves more fully into an operational mode over the next weeks, Chairman John
Bumgarner said today.
Stephen Butler, an experienced telecommunications executive who has been with
PowerTel since 1998, will become Chief Executive Officer of the Company
effective 30 April, Mr Bumgarner said.
Mr Butler replaces Gary Dupler, who since 1998 has served as Chief Operating
Officer and then Chief Executive Officer of PowerTel. He is returning to the
United States for personal and family reasons Mr Bumgarner said.
"Gary Dupler has done a fine job in establishing PowerTel's fibre optic network
and positioning the company to offer a wide range of services to other
communications carriers and to businesses in Australia," Mr Bumgarner said. "We
wish him well in his future in the United States."
Mr Bumgarner said Mr Butler is well positioned to take charge of the company,
having previously served first as Director of Engineering, Plant Construction
and Planning and more recently as Head of Operations. "Mr Butler has been
responsible for the highly successful roll-out of the PowerTel network and
cabling of the central business districts of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne,
all in record time," Mr Bumgarner said.
"The final leg of the network is nearing completion and will be fully
operational in May. We are delighted that Stephen will be leading PowerTel as
we ramp up usage of the network and fulfill our commitment to deliver
unparalleled service to our customers and implement our growth plans."
Mr Butler graduated from Texas A&M University in 1989 with a Bachelor of
Science - Electrical Engineering degree and has worked in the
telecommunications industry in the United States and in Australia. He held a
number of senior positions in operations and network engineering and in network
management in a number of companies, including WorldCom, MCI Telecommunications
and IXC Communications, before joining PowerTel when it was formed in 1998.
In his prior position at PowerTel, he has been responsible for Data and Switch
Network Engineering, Network Operations, Outside Plant and Civil Construction,
and Facilities and Business Planning, which together employ almost half the
people in the company.
Stephen resides permanently in Australia, where he married five years ago, and
lives in Sydney with his wife and young son.
|
| March 29, 2000 |
Board of Directors Announcement
PowerTel announced today that Mr John Troy has resigned as a Director of
PowerTel Limited.
Mr Troy is a director of the TVG Asian Communications Fund and Telecom Venture
Group Limited. He joined the PowerTel board in 1997 when TVG was issued 50
million preference shares for a consideration of A$25 million. TVG is an
investment fund with a defined term, and accordingly has recently disposed of
virtually all of its holdings in PowerTel. As TVG is no longer a significant
shareholder, Mr Troy has elected to resign from the board.
PowerTel announced the appointment of Mr Richard Griffin as a Director of
PowerTel Limited. Mr Griffin is an independent director and has a long-standing
association with Australian business, including Schroders Australia Holdings
Ltd of which he is currently Deputy Chairman.
Other directorships include the Territory Insurance Office and Premier Oil
Australasia Limited.
Previously Mr Griffin has been Chairman of Costain Resources Limited and
Australian Medical Enterprises Limited, and a director of Private Development
Finance Corporation of Indonesia, and Network Ten Holdings.
|
| March 23, 2000 |
PowerTel Launching into the Future - FIRST
PowerTel is launching into the future of value added communications solutions
with its latest product release. PowerTel's FUTURE FIRST product launches will
be held in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne over the next week.
PowerTel is strengthening its focus as a managed business solutions provider to
corporate and carrier markets in Australia. Building on the basic access
technologies of Leased Line, Frame Relay, and ATM, PowerTel's second phase of
product offerings include managed data and voice solutions as well as Internet
services.
PowerTel will now offer end-to-end management of all infrastructure, providing
a multi-service aggregation network. Customers will receive economies through a
single layer approach to infrastructure, visibility and management, with
minimised points of failure, reduced capital expenditure, along with reduced
provisioning and on-site skill requirements.
PowerTel's CEO Gary Dupler said "We are focused on being a major player in the
Australian telecommunications market through the development of true corporate
and wholesale value-added products 'enabling' our customers to stay ahead of
the competition".
Products launched include PowerTel Centrex, a 24-hour, seven day per week,
fully managed voice PABX solution for dynamic business environments. This
service replaces the need for traditional PABX systems through provision of a
direct link from the customer handset back to the PowerTel switch. PowerTel
customers will enjoy fiscal benefits with minimal capital outlay required,
while keeping up with technology, as PowerTel facilitates software upgrades at
the network operations centre.
"Ultimately, PowerTel aims to provide fully managed intelligent business
solutions to our customers, allowing them to focus on the establishment and
achievement of their core business goals" Mr Dupler said.
PowerTel is now the third largest telecommunications carrier in Australia, in
terms of infrastructure, having established network links between Brisbane and
Sydney, and soon to complete the Canberra and Melbourne links. CBD networks
have also been built and completed in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
|
| March 8, 2000 |
Boeing Australia and PowerTel : Boeing and PowerTel Enter E-Commerce Race
ALLIANCE FORMED WILL BENEFIT QUEENSLAND BUSINESS
A world-class alliance for the provision of a fully integrated communications
network has been formed between Boeing Australia and PowerTel. Mr Lindsay
Pears, General Manager of Boeing Australia, and Mr Brian Finn, Deputy Chairman
of PowerTel, will launch the alliance and announce key projects at the Gold
Coast in March.
According to a spokesperson for the Boeing PowerTel alliance, the collaboration
between the companies will enable "Queensland businesses to genuinely compete
in the global market by providing a fully integrated voice, data, video and
wireless network over a high security environment".
The Boeing and PowerTel relationship has arisen out of the need for large
businesses to have cost effective E-commerce and supply chain management
solutions and for smaller stakeholders to realise cost benefits when competing
for products and services in the IT&T and multimedia sectors.
Boeing's Managing Director, David Gray commented that "the respective
capabilities and skills of both companies are complementary. They will work
together to provide a strong and unique offering to Queensland business".
Boeing Australia's Information and Communication Systems division is part of
The Boeing Company; a US-based world leader in complex systems integration and
communications network management. In its contribution to the alliance Boeing
Australia will provide high-end skills in Virtual Private Network (VPN)
management, non-terrestrial infrastructure and services, mobile RF
communications and data services, embedded security systems and a suite of
value added applications and services including web based consumer/supplier
interfaces and data vaulting with disaster recovery backup.
The broadband infrastructure capability that PowerTel brings to the alliance
will ensure world class optical fibre links between key sites throughout
Queensland and the rest of Australia. PowerTel is a publicly listed company
whose major shareholders are Williams International and Downtown Utilities, a
group comprised of City Power, Energy Australia and Energex. PowerTel have
established a broadband carrier infrastructure with links between Brisbane/Gold
Coast, Sydney, Canberra, and are in the final stages of completing their
Melbourne link. PowerTel not only provide retail telephony and data services to
customers, but they also supply wholesale carriage to other telecommunications
carriers. PowerTel's CEO, Gary Dupler believes that "our ownership of
infrastructure allows us to aggressively compete against other carriers for the
corporate market".
The strategic alliance between Boeing Australia and PowerTel will lead to
important cost benefits to Queensland business, with the added security of
world-class telecommunications and e-commerce know-how.
Released by:
Mrs Sonya Crosby,
Investor & Public Relations Manager,
PowerTel
Tel 61 2 8235 3865
Dr Sally-Maree Scott
Communications Support Centre Manager
Boeing Australia Limited
Phone: (07) 3306-3417
|
| March 8, 2000 |
PowerTel Limited 1999 End of Year Results
The Chairman of PowerTel Limited, John Bumgarner, today announced the Company's
results for the year ended 31 December 1999. PowerTel has changed it's
financial year-end to 31 December from 30 June and this is the first full
report under the new arrangement.
Sales revenue for the twelve months to 31 December decreased by 19%, from $60.6
million to $49.2 million. The Company incurred an operating loss, after
abnormal items, of $38.4 million, an increase of $3.9 million (11.1%), compared
to the prior twelve months. Abnormal items for the period were $8.9 million,
including a $5.8 million write-off of an investment in Ellipso.
In making the announcement, Mr Bumgarner said: "Operating results were in line
with our expectations. Revenue reduced as a result of discontinuing low margin
activities and closing the unprofitable mobile satellite tracking business.
Both activities were established by our predecessor organisation, and signify
the conclusion of one of the last major transactions from Spectrum Network
Systems.
"During 1999 we committed over $230 million in deploying our state-of-the-art
network. The Brisbane-Sydney portion was completed on schedule and we expect
the Sydney-Melbourne section to be ready for operation in the second quarter of
2000. In addition, more than 1,800 of the previously committed 2,200 kilometres
of optical fibre has been laid, including the Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne
CBD's."
"Progress in attracting major customers for the services we will provide has
been encouraging and confirms our belief that PowerTel's facilities and
products are superior and our charges highly competitive."
"We plan to commit up to $100 million in additional facilities and products in
year 2000."
The PowerTel Chief Executive, Gary Dupler, commented further: "We are pleased
with the progress we have made. Strong demand for our services will drive a
significant increase in revenue when the link to Melbourne is completed in the
second quarter. Because of that strong demand, we will bring forward our plans
for expansion of the network and the services we provide."
"Later this month, we will launch a range of new products, including a range of
managed services designed to assist customers in outsourcing the management of
their telecommunications requirements, and includes Co-Locate services along
with a PABX outsource solution called Centrex. A range of Internet Protocol
based services built on ATM, Frame Relay and Leased Line Access transport
services is also planned for release in March."
"We have great confidence that the year 2000 will see PowerTel established and
recognised as a leading provider of telecommunications solutions to the
corporate and carrier markets in Australia."
|
| March 3, 2000 |
Boeing Australia and PowerTel : Alliance formed will benefit Queensland
business
Boeing and PowerTel Enter E-Commerce Race
At 2:00pm today (Wednesday March 8, 2000) the Honourable Mr Terry Mackenroth,
Minister for Communication and Information, Local Government and Planning and
Minister for Sport, will launch an alliance between Boeing Australia and
PowerTel Limited that will provide a high-end E-commerce facility for the
Pacific Innovation Corridor. Other speakers at the launch will be Lindsay
Pears, General Manager Boeing Australia, Deputy Chairman of PowerTel Limited,
Brian Finn, and Councillor Gary Baildon, Gold Coast City Mayor.
The Pacific Innovation Corridor, which has commonly become known as PIC, is an
extensive communications network that will facilitate business-to-business
E-commerce. Commercial and government centres that are within the PIC catchment
area will be offered connection to a Totally Managed Data Service that
represents significant cost-efficiencies.
PowerTel's CEO, Gary Dupler says "The Boeing PowerTel solution for PIC is a
total end-to-end service that includes the design of customer interface
requirements that will ensure a seamlesss connection to the broadband network".
For their contribution to the collaborative project, PowerTel will provide a
fibre optic network that has been constructed and fused into a fully compliant,
open standards system. Gary Dupler contends that PowerTel has "had the rare
luxury of designing a grand scale network without the limitations of having to
integrate or leverage a legacy topology or technology".
PowerTel can leverage from the experience of their majority shareholder
Williams Communications, a US-based company with more than $25 billion in
assets. They have successfully built and managed fibre optic networks in the US
and South America. PowerTel deliver significant opportunities of scale with the
capability of STM1 and STM16 (155Mbps to 2.4Gbps) platforms. This capacity will
ensure that subscribers will enjoy low cost, uninterrupted access to high data
rate communication within the network, and through it, access to international
networks at much higher data rates than currently available.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of one of the world leaders in communication
systems, Boeing Australia will bring a sophisticated software solution to the
PIC project. Boeing's Data Carriage and Information Management Services is an
integrated package that delivers a high-end product to enable businesses rapid
and reliable E-commerce opportunities. Lindsay Pears has suggested that it is
the wide skill base within Boeing that gives his team the leading edge; "The
skill base provides a product range that is of an intellectual rather than
manufacturing nature and one that provides business activity at the high end of
the technology scale".
Boeing Australia will support the PIC by providing software development,
applications development, systems integration, business systems development and
information and knowledge management. The greatest value for business is the
increased capacity for business-to-business E-commerce; the integration of
local businesses into a world class network that will ease international
transactions; and the cost efficiencies associated with high-speed systems
integration and broadband networks.
The Boeing PowerTel alliance will work on the Pacific Innovation Corridor as
the first project of the collaboration. Working with business and government,
the Boeing PowerTel alliance represents innovation and the entry of Queensland
into the cutting edge of communications technology.
Released by:
Mrs Sonya Crosby,
Investor & Public Relations Manager,
PowerTel
Tel 61 2 8235 3865
Dr Sally-Maree Scott
Communications Support Centre Manager
Boeing Australia Limited
Phone: (07) 3306-3417
|
| March 2, 2000 |
GoConnect Free ISP Starts with PowerTel Advantage
GoConnect today announced the signing of an agreement with major Australian
telecommunications carrier PowerTel for the provision of Internet dial-up
access services. Supported by the PowerTel network, GoConnect will commence
Internet access for its members in March 2000. GoConnect has already secured in
excess of 200,000 registered members. The Company is targeting to have in
excess of 500,000 members before the end of this year, which will make it a
dominant Internet service provider (ISP) in Australia, offering free Internet
access to its members.
PowerTel has developed a high quality, cost effective wholesale offering
utilising its Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) fibre network and state of the
art remote access servers. Unencumbered by outdated legacy style
infrastructure, PowerTel has been able to realise and pass on direct fiscal
benefits to customers such as GoConnect.
In keeping with GoConnect's philosophy that Internet access should be free,
GoConnect's free Internet access service is not intended to place any
restrictions on Internet access available to members. GoConnect's revenue will
be generated from advertising, delivered through its GoTrek proprietary
technology, and e-commerce.
Mr Gary Dupler, CEO of Powertel, said "PowerTel intends to be a significant
force in the Australian internet market. We are developing a state of the art
network using an Internet Protocol centric backbone, provided by Cisco Systems
and Nortel. The capabilities of this backbone will be sold to ISP's on a
wholesale basis with competitive pricing and flexible terms, enabling them to
concentrate on marketing content and services directly to end-users. Our
initial rollout will be in major cities including Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra,
Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, with further plans to serve a large portion of
the regional ISP market. We are very pleased to be selected as GoConnect's
network partner and look forward to contributing to their success."
Mr David Tam, Managing Director of GoConnect, said "We have achieved a major
milestone today in the formation of a strategic business partnership with
Powertel. This partnership ensures the delivery of a world class Internet
access service to GoConnect members. Powertel being a shareholder in GoConnect
Ltd further cements the partnership. In the longer term, this partnership will
deliver significant value to our two companies."
|
1999 Media Releases
| December 8, 1999 |
PowerTel embraces the spirit of teamwork and competition
Emerging telecommunications carrier PowerTel today announced it will co-sponsor
the BRW Corporate Triathlon Series beginning in The Gold Coast on 12 March
2000. The popular series will also involve races in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide
and Perth, offering corporate teams the opportunity to compete in the new
Olympic sport. As part of their commitment to the triathlon series, PowerTel
has joined with BRW to design an innovative brand "X3". The brand logo alludes
to the three triathlon disciplines and will appear on all triathlon
advertising, start and finish arches, uniforms and t-shirts.
"PowerTel is happy to support this event. The triathlon series is all about
teamwork and fun, healthy competition. At PowerTel we like both teamwork and
competition," said Gary Dupler, PowerTel Chief Operating Officer.
The series has become an annual social event among Australia's business sector
and in the past has had the involvement of some of Australia's biggest and best
known companies including: AMP, ANZ, BHP, Coles Myer, Commonwealth Bank,
Hewlett Packard, Holden, IBM, Merrill Lynch, NAB, Panasonic Telstra, Toyota and
Westpac.
The PowerTel / BRW Corporate Triathlon Series has a charity component with a
donation being made to the recipient charity in each state. Teams also compete
to raise the most money for this charity and then be awarded the "Charity Cup".
Dates for the series are:
| Race 1 |
Gold Coast |
March 12, 2000 |
| Race 2 |
Melbourne |
March 19, 2000 |
| Race 3 |
Perth |
March 26, 2000 |
| Race 4 |
Adelaide |
April 2, 2000 |
| Race 5 |
Sydney |
April 9, 2000 |
|
| December 2, 1999 |
PowerTel Limited Agreement with Boeing Australia Limited
PowerTel Limited and Boeing Australia Limited have agreed to team
together to jointly pursue communications and systems integration
opportunities, typically large scale complex systems, as and when they arise.
At present no joint opportunities have been identified. It is anticipated that
potential joint opportunities will, subject to the results of a feasibility
study, lead to the expansion of the PowerTel backbone network to selected
areas. Under this arrangement PowerTel will also have the opportunity to supply
the internal telecommunications for Boeing
in Australia.
S Allan
COMPANY SECRETARY.
© Australian Stock Exchange Feed
|
| October 25, 1999 |
PowerTel Launches ATM & Frame Relay Services
PowerTel Limited, Australia's latest premier telecommunications carrier, today
launched its ATM and Frame Relay services. The services will support multiple
applications through a single network access interface, and provide
comprehensive metro-to-national connectivity. In launching its ATM and Frame
Relay services, PowerTel has the added advantage of designing a grand scale
network - without the limitations of having to integrate or leverage a legacy
topology or technology. As well as ensuring a degree of increased technological
redundancy, speed and robustness of switching, the company has been able to
realise and pass on direct fiscal benefits derived from the absence of a
commercial model.
This is largely due to PowerTel's partnership with the Down Town Utilities
consortium which has eliminated massive physical ducting construction and the
use of a cumbersome legacy infrastructure.
"We want Australian businesses to enjoy the flexibility of deploying and
re-deploying compliant equipment as the dynamic needs of their enterprise
evolves. PowerTel has realised that this flexibility is no longer a luxury, but
a necessity in today's rapidly changing communications environment," said
Stephen Butler, PowerTel's Chief Technical Officer and Director of Engineering
and Construction.
From the network terminating equipment to the core transport protocols,
PowerTel has ensured that all devices and methodologies have been constructed
and fused into a fully compliant, open standards system. This purity of
architecture and directness of implementation means increased flexibility and
responsiveness - you get what you need when you need it, without major
reconfigurations, adaptors or translators.
PowerTel's ATM and Frame Relay Services operate via a number of fully meshed
CISCO BPX's, and enable PowerTel's customers to enjoy data transmission of
mission-critical applications at light speed from each building on the PowerTel
network.
Operating at speeds of 64Kbps to 622Mbps which will scale to 2.5Gbps,
PowerTel's ATM technology has been designed from the ground up to support
integrated voice, video and data communications, and is particularly apt at
handling high speed WAN transmission bursts.
"With data traffic now becoming more prominent than voice traffic on public
telephone networks, PowerTel is deploying infrastructure based on ATM to cope
efficiently with the increased data load and the existing legacy network
requirements," said Butler.
"Our fibre optic network infrastructure eliminates the traditional telco
layered network architecture and creates a vehicle to provide multi-megabit
data networking between buildings and cities. The services we have launched
today will change the dynamics of the Australian business environment by
providing an integrated alternative to existing systems," added Butler.
POWERTEL'S ATM SERVICE
PowerTel's ATM Services will offer customers scalable broadband solutions to
meet their data networking requirements. The service will provide users the
flexibility to support applications such as voice, data, multimedia and video
through a single network access interface at the customer's premises.
"ATM is the solution to supporting the growth of time-sensitive and bandwidth
sensitive technologies such as video conferencing and multimedia. Our customers
are not locked into a single equipment vendor, and are able to easily integrate
and leverage their legacy technology investments," said Butler.
Using PowerTel's ATM Services, customers will be able to:
 |
Leverage buying power by consolidating multiple services and
technologies; |
 |
Decrease overall costs; |
 |
Realise better economies of scale; |
 |
Reduce equipment requirements, by increasing functionality and
reducing exposure to technological redundancy; and |
 |
Improve the overall efficiency of their networks by increasing its
level of intelligence |
PowerTel ATM is a native cell-based, connection oriented and data-transmission
service, which allows customers to integrate all types of traffic. It will
allow users to prioritise services to support multiple types of traffic
throughout the network. The service supports multiple ATM service classes, as
defined by the ATM Forum, allowing organisations to finetune their network
based on their individual business parameters.
POWERTEL'S FRAME RELAY SERVICE
PowerTel Frame Relay is a high-speed packet-switched data carriage service,
which offers the benefits of high-speed transmission via low-cost virtual
circuits. Designed for environments where many-to-many connectivity is required
and LAN traffic is prevalent, PowerTel Frame Relay service provides the ability
to handle unpredictable 'bursts' of traffic above 'subscribed' bandwidth.
As a highly cost effective alternative to leased line services, PowerTel Frame
Relay provides a smooth migration path to higher bandwidth technologies such as
ATM.
With service access speeds from 128Kbps to 2Mbps, PowerTel will offer seamless
metro-to-national connectivity using state-of-the-art switching technology. Our
Frame Relay service inter-operates with our ATM service so customers have a
future path to higher bandwidth applications. PowerTel Frame Relay Services can
be used to meet a variety of business requirements such as application sharing,
file transfer, data backup and email offer an industry-leading complement for
access option.
|
| October 7, 1999 |
PowerTel Launches Network Operations Centre;
Demonstrates Live Link Between Sydney and Brisbane
PowerTel today inaugurated its Network Operation Centre with a commitment to
"lift the bar" for customer service for corporate customers and wholesalers.
The state-of-the-art Network Operation Centre features a huge video wall,
enabling engineers to monitor and manage all elements of the PowerTel network.
The giant screen, visible to passers-by on the street, will display supporting
graphical information to assist in the detection and resolution of service
affecting problems
The Network Operations Centre and PowerTel's Customer Care Call Centre are
located at PowerTel's new Sydney headquarters at 55 Clarence Street. The $7
million dollar facility, which spans 3,400 sq metres, will enable 140 PowerTel
staff to operate under one roof in servicing corporate and wholesale customers.
"The Network Operations Centre, which will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, is testimony to our ability and commitment to deliver a quality-focused
customer service. We are well on the way in constructing the best fibre optic
network infrastructure, with supporting customer care and maintenance features,
on Australia's East Coast," said Gary Dupler, Chief Operating Officer of
PowerTel.
"We are also pleased to demonstrate today a live link between Sydney and
Brisbane, which is being carried exclusively on PowerTel's own network," Mr
Dupler added.
The live link was inaugurated by the Federal Minister for Communications,
Senator Richard Alston and the Queensland Minister for Communication and
Information, Mr Terry Mackenroth.
The completed link between Sydney and Brisbane will see PowerTel deliver new
and upgraded telecom facilities for key regional towns such as Toowoomba,
Tamworth, Singleton and Newcastle.
The company is committed to growing its workforce, already 200 strong, to 800
in the next few years, offering Australians a chance to be a part of an
exciting industry.
"PowerTel is on track to complete its East Coast network by January 2000. This
rapid rollout demonstrates how the Australian business environment is receptive
to new companies and services that are prepared to work with Australian
organisations and invest meaningful amounts of capital.
"The payoff for Australia from this and other telecommunications investment
more infrastructure, more choice and lower costs for networks and other
telecommunications providers," Mr. Dupler said.
PowerTel has already committed over $200 million to develop a new network and
infrastructure. To date the company has executed its network rollout in three
CBDs, laying a total of 125 kilometres of fibre, in just under five months.
The process of installing PowerTel's fibre optic network has been accelerated
through ready access to the existing ducts provided by the DTU consortium
Energy Australia, Energex and Citipower. With rapid installation and relatively
little disruption, for instance, little or no digging of pavements outside
buildings, PowerTel is bringing the benefits of an all-fibre network to the
CBDs of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
As a result of these developments, PowerTel is set to offer data, voice and
fax, leased lines, ATM and Frame Relay services by January 2000.
"We would like to think that where there is power, there is PowerTel, and we
are committed to meeting this goal in the not too distant future," said Dupler.
|
| September 13, 1999 |
PowerTel Limited Reports Financial Results
The Chairman of PowerTel Limited, Mr John Bumgarner, today announced an
operating loss of $27.9 million for the twelve months to June 30, 1999. This
result is in line with expectations and compares to a loss of $27.7 million for
the prior year. Revenues were $56.4 million, a reduction of 11.1% on 1998, as a
result of the company reducing unprofitable revenue. The result includes $6.5
million of abnormal losses.
Commenting on the results, PowerTel's Chief Operating Officer, Gary Dupler
said, "The rollout of our fibre linking Brisbane and Sydney is on schedule and
close to completion. We have completed the network for the CBD's in these
cities, laying more than 100 kilometres of fibre in less than 5 months. Our
Network will be fully operational in January 2000."
PowerTel is progressing rapidly. We have established our national headquarters
at 55 Clarence Street in Sydney, with more than 4,400 square metres of office
space, a major voice switching facility and a data centre. Our Network
Operations Centre, the most advanced in Australia, will become operational
later this month.
To date, PowerTel has installed fibre to more than 200 buildings in Brisbane,
Melbourne and Sydney. The installation work has been accelerated through access
to existing cable ducts provided by the Electricity Utilities who are
shareholders in PowerTel - Energex, CitiPower and EnergyAustralia.
The total investment in the network in the past year has been more than $76
million.
With the ability to provide a full range of services in data, voice, fax,
leased lines, ATM and Frame Relay services from the beginning of next year, we
are confident that we will quickly become established as a major player in the
telecommunications business in Australia.
CHANGE TO THE ACCOUNTING YEAR
PowerTel has changed its accounting year to end on 31 December, rather than 30
June. The attached results are for the 12 months to 30 June 1999. The next
Annual Report will be for the 18 months to 31 December 1999.
CHANGE TO DIRECTORS
The Board has appointed S. Miller Williams to be a Director of PowerTel. Miller
is Senior Vice president, International Strategic Investments, Williams
Communications Inc. and replaces Jacob D. Steelman who resigned as Director and
Company Secretary of PowerTel today.
|
| September 2, 1999 |
PowerTel is 'FIRST'
PowerTel Limited, Australia's latest provider of data and voice services, has
launched an outdoor and print advertising campaign, reflecting the company's
strategic commitment to building a leadership position in the Australian
telecommunications industry.
The brand building campaign themed "FIRST" is PowerTel's way of saying they
will put their customers business first - by delivering innovative and
effective telecommunications solutions to the Australian corporate and carrier
markets.
"Telecommunications companies need to differentiate themselves in a way that
actually means something to their customers. We believe our national
advertising campaign does this. Our ads are designed to be striking and
reinforce the fact that we are the first of the new breed of telecommunications
companies. They also conceptualise the beginning of a brand new network - the
first of the new generation of networks," said Evelyn Moore, PowerTel's
director of sales and marketing.
"We have chosen a look and feel that is bold, and the images we selected for
the ads are evocative, intriguing and depict something that was a first in
history. They use well-known and accepted images from the worlds of science and
technology to reinforce the "FIRST" theme. PowerTel is here to make a
difference and the campaign reflects our commitment to leading the revolution
that is seeing data and voice services converge at extraordinary speed.
"We found there was a lot of competition in the market and not a huge point of
differentiation between advertisements developed by other telecommunications
companies. We are a company that is here to solve problems differently and the
"FIRST" theme provided us with an opportunity to assume an expert position in
the telecommunications marketplace. Our aim is to concentrate on positioning
PowerTel in a striking and authoritative manner," added Moore.
Some of the visuals that Australians can expect depict images that are
immediately associated with a sense of achievement.
As part of the new campaign, PowerTel's advertisements will be seen on
supersites at major thoroughfares leading into the cities of Sydney, Melbourne
and Brisbane ; enroute to domestic airports, as well as light boxes in the
domestic airport terminals in the three cities. This will be complemented by an
aggressive print campaign targeting main national and state newspapers as well
as business, IT and telecommunication publications.
PowerTel will embark on a six week brand building campaign with the "FIRST" ads
and this will be followed by six weeks of product-driven ads relating to
PowerTel's leased lines, frame relay, ATM, and voice services.
This will provide the platform for PowerTel's campaigns going forward into year
2000.
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