Telstra Limited has attained Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status in both Advanced Infrastructure Solutions and Networking Infrastructure Solutions.

Microsoft's Gold Certified Partner status now provides Telstra with highly credible industry recognition of its Co-location and Hosting IT services.  It is awarded only to companies that have a proven expertise with Microsoft technologies and the ability to consistently deliver the highest quality of services to customers.

Tiny Haynes, Hosting Product Manager, Telstra Limited, said, “Gold Certified Partner status is the next logical step in Telstra’s Co-location and Hosting strategy.  Few co-location and managed services suppliers have achieved this status, so certification will allow us to differentiate our services in what is a competitive market.”

Telstra Limited has three state-of-the-art datacentres in London Docklands, Cambridge and Sunderland.  Its comprehensive range of Co-location and Hosting IT services enable Telstra to manage customers’ hardware and provide technical support up to operating system level right through to delivering value-added services, such as server design, migration and deployment solutions or developing complete IT networking solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft Corp, said, “Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities. They need to trust in someone that can act as an expert adviser for their long-term strategic technology plans. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners, which have certified expertise and direct training and support from Microsoft, can build a positive customer experience with our technologies.”

Advanced Infrastructure Solutions

The Advanced Infrastructure Solutions Competency is designed for partners with proven expertise in designing and/or implementing complex infrastructure solutions such as Active Directory®-based and Microsoft Integration Server design and deployment solutions, or Microsoft Exchange Server migration or deployment solutions. Because customers are increasingly asking to do more with less, partners with the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions Competency can identify their unique skill in helping customers access management solutions, improving operational efficiency and reducing security risks.

“Our industry partners allow us to deliver high-quality solutions and applications to our customers. And we’re always looking at ways to improve our relationships,” said Paul Flessner, senior vice president of the Server Platform Division at Microsoft. “Solutions Competencies enable Microsoft to provide resources and training to partners seeking to meet, and even surpass, customer needs. The competencies also provide industry partners with a way to showcase their expertise to customers who depend on them for services, such as building their critical infrastructure needs such as storage and hosting solutions.”

Networking Infrastructure Solutions

Microsoft Gold Certified Partners enrolled in the Networking Infrastructure Solutions Competency have proved their competency in implementing technology solutions based on either the Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 or Windows® 2000 Server operating system, with a particular focus on Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 and Windows Small Business Server 2003. These implementations may include crafting solutions that connect Windows-based servers, PC locations and the Internet; installing a server farm; or building a small-business Windows Server stand-alone solution that includes file and print capabilities.

“We place tremendous value on our partners, who help us deliver solutions and applications to customers,” added Microsoft’s Watson. “Solutions Competencies provide an integrated partnering framework that recognizes an enterprise’s expertise and rewards it for the effect it has in the technology marketplace. It also allows companies to demonstrate for customers their knowledge of building solutions based on Microsoft technologies, such as setting up networks using Windows Server 2003 and Windows Small Business Server 2003.”

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Media Contacts:

Telstra Limited

Peter Fitzpatrick, hbl media, 020 7612 1830 / peter@hblmedia.com

Kathryn Hughes, hbl media, 020 7612 1830 / kathryn@hblmedia.com

Notes to Editors:

About Telstra Limited:

Telstra Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Telstra Corporation Limited (ASX:TLS). Operational in Europe for over 14 years, Telstra offers an extensive range of voice and data services including total managed network solutions using Global IP-VPN (MPLS), Internet, ATM, Frame Relay, Private Lines, hosting and co-location services and enhanced voice solutions to medium sized business and multinational corporations in the UK. Additional value added services include fully managed CPE, network reporting, consulting, planning, project management, service tools, which enable customers to monitor and view their network status 24x7 and customer support seven days a week.

Delivering connectivity business solutions, value-added services and complex managed IP solutions, Telstra Limited’s portfolio is complemented by its independently-owned and managed switched network. Switches are located in London, Birmingham and Manchester working alongside 14 co-location points throughout the UK. Additionally, state-of-the-art, resilient data centres are located in London, Docklands, Cambridge and Sunderland.

Parent company, Telstra Corporation Limited, is a full service global telecommunications company.

www.telstra.co.uk

About The Microsoft Partner Programme:

The Microsoft Partner Program was launched in December 2003 and represents Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to the success of partners worldwide. The program offers a single, integrated partnering framework that recognises partner expertise, rewards the total impact that partners have in the technology marketplace, and delivers more value to help partners’ businesses be successful.