By Paul Hemsley
The New South Wales Department of Finance and Services has swapped Telstra for Optus as the provider of its mobile telecommunications services to connect its growing use of smartphones, tablets and laptops.
In a contract valued at $1.34 million over 24 months based on “current volume and usage” of mobile devices, the services began in early October 2013 and will be up for review in 2015.
The arrangement between Optus and the Finance and Services will involve a “significantly simplified” structure of services and pricing, meaning that service costs will be reduced by up to 50 per cent.
It is part of a wider effort by the O’Farrell government to reduce costs experienced by government agencies, as the Finance and Services will allow other NSW government agencies access to the new Optus services through the government’s workplace support services provider, ServiceFirst.
The government has also offered a “significantly reduced fixed monthly fee” for all local, national, mobile and SMS services, which Finance and Services expects will remove the complexity of having to select the “most economical plan across a diverse workforce”.
Minister for Finance and Services Andrew Constance said cost effective mobile services are vital to support the increasing mobility of public servants.
“The new contract will also lead to better connectivity and mobility for agency staff,” Mr Constance said.
He said more agencies are using smartphones and tablets to allow their staff to work anywhere and anytime, which “enhances customer service and drives productivity”.
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