Telstra Europe, one of the UK’s leading alternative business telephony and data service providers, is launching a UK wide recruitment drive to expand its indirect channel selling Telstra’s portfolio of voice and data network services.

With the market for converged communications set to grow in 2006 and beyond, Telstra is looking for businesses who have an established customer base and are now looking to explore the market opportunities which convergence will offer.

Telstra has extensive voice and data services expertise and will provide dedicated sales and marketing support, direct access to its product experts and the right commercial package to ensure that every new business opportunity is maximised.

Commenting today, Ben Le Feuvre, Manager – Indirect Sales, Telstra Europe said, “Over recent months, carrier commitment to the channel has been questioned by many within the industry.  Telstra Europe remains 100% committed to channel development and, in light of the growing convergence market, there is a huge opportunity for the channel to work with us to grow their businesses.” 

To coincide with the recruitment drive, Telstra has also re-designed its online channel portals to further improve the sales process.  Key benefits include:

• Single comprehensive source of information on Telstra products, services and collateral
• Improved site navigation for Partner and Service Provider portals
• Greater automation of product order processes
• Regular news updates on Telstra channel promotions

“Having successfully launched our sales accreditation scheme last September, which already includes partners such as Telinet and Actimax, this recruitment drive and channel portals re-design are the next logical steps in further strengthening Telstra’s channel proposition,” added Le Feuvre.

Earlier this month, Telstra launched dedicated 8 Mbps business broadband and telephony packages for SMEs, designed to help small and medium-sized business customers improve their communication services and significantly reduce the cost of their monthly bills.  These packages are now available for the channel to add to their Telstra product portfolio.

For further information about Telstra and its recruitment drive please contact:

Ben LeFeuvre, Manager – Indirect Sales, Telstra Europe

0207 965 8953 / Ben.LeFeuvre@uk.telstra.com

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Media Enquiries:

Peter Fitzpatrick, hbl media, +44 (0)20 7612 1830 / peter@hblmedia.com

Kathryn Hughes, hbl media, +44 (0)20 7612 1830 / kathryn@hblmedia.com

About Telstra Europe:

Telstra Europe 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 Broadband, MPLS Wide Area Networks, Internet Access and Point-to-Point Connectivity, 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, consulting, planning, project management, and Telstra’s online Service Tools application, which enables customers to monitor their network and manage support tickets at any time.

Delivering connectivity business solutions, value-added services and complex managed IP solutions, Telstra Europe’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.