www.three.com

3 today announced a new national roaming arrangement that will result in significantly expanded mobile coverage for 3 customers. From 1 April 2005, 3 customers travelling outside the 3 Video Zone will have access to Telstra's national GSM/GPRS network footprint, giving them access to coverage of 96% of the Australian population.

The new agreement builds on the 3G network share agreement signed between Hutchison and Telstra earlier this week. Hutchison CEO Kevin Russell said the two separate deals provide customers with the reassurance that when they join 3 they are joining a powerful combination of the nation's most extensive mobile coverage provider and the nation's leading 3G network.

"With 3, customers get outstanding video multimedia services, the most competitive prices delivered on the most sophisticated network in the Australian mobile market," Mr Russell said.

"With this latest announcement, we can now also claim service coverage which is at the very forefront of the industry," he said.

To ensure a smooth transition, the new roaming capability will be implemented in stages, starting 1 April 2005 and continuing over the following months.

Customers will be contacted individually in the new year to be advised of the change. They will not be required to take any action to benefit from the improved coverage.