Primus Telecom Energizes Australian Power & Gas’ Telecommunications Needs

Integrated Voice and Data Network Solution to Reduce Costs and Improve Efficiencies in Support of Ambitious Growth Plans

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA–(Marketwire -02/06/12)- Independent energy retailer Australian Power & Gas (ASX:APK.AX – News) has chosen Primus Telecom, a part of Primus Telecommunications Group, Inc. (NYSE: PTGI – News), to provide a voice and data network solution that will scale with the company as it heads towards its ‘Vision 2015′ objective of servicing 700,000 net customers.

“We recently reached a milestone of 300,000 net customers, which is a great achievement in our evolution as one of Australia’s fastest growing companies,” said Joseph Gullotta, CIO of Australian Power & Gas. “We are now looking to implement and utilize technology that will help us to improve efficiencies and keep our staff numbers relatively low as we continue our rapid growth over coming years.”

Australian Power & Gas carried out a major review of its telecommunications and wide area network (WAN) environments as part of this growth plan. After completing a competitive RFP process, it selected a voice and data network solution from Primus that will potentially reduce the energy retailer’s overall telecommunications costs by 30 percent, as well as improve the efficiency and speed of its WAN as it consolidates its data center operations.

The Primus deployment will include a national voice network; a Primus Inbound Intelligent Network for all 1300 and 1800 services; and a Primus Private IP Network (PIPN) to connect its two offices and two data centres in Melbourne and Sydney.

Inbound services delivered via the Primus Inbound Intelligent Network, will give Australian Power & Gas’ customers an attractive and cost effective means of keeping in contact with the energy retailer. It now has the power to manage inbound calls, monitor the performance of contact centres in real-time and change how, when and where calls are answered to suit traffic volumes and customer requirements.

“It is crucial that we have the right infrastructure in place to be able to service our customers’ needs as we continue to grow,” continued Mr Gullotta. “Primus’ Inbound services will not only help us to enhance the delivery of our energy services to our customers, it will also increase their satisfaction and loyalty — a critical part of us achieving our ‘Vision 2015′ objective.”

To improve the speed and efficiency of its WAN environment, Primus’ PIPN solution will provide Australian Power & Gas with a fully integrated and managed private IP network based on an MPLS

(Multi Protocol Label Switching) network core. The solution is optimised to best satisfy the customer operating environment and future expansion plans.

“Australian Power & Gas has enormous growth plans requiring a solid foundation for both its voice and data needs now, with the flexibility and scope to support its future growth requirements,” said Andrew Sims, general manager of Marketing and Products for Primus Telecom. “Primus has the right infrastructure, support and expertise in place to deliver an efficient and flexible solution to the energy retailer and its customers. We look forward to growing with its business.”

About Primus Australia http://www.primus.com.au
Primus Australia is part of Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated (PTGi) and is one of Australia’s largest telecommunications carriers. It offers a range of Business and Residential data, broadband, VOIP, Mobile, Telephone and Data Centre services Australia wide. The Primus Australia network provides nationwide coverage through its own backbone network with facilities in 66 cities and 286 DSLAM exchanges across Australia. Primus Australia operates its own fibre network in the five major capital cities, delivering a range of business direct-connect services including Hosted IP PBX services, IP, Ethernet, ATM, ISDN, high speed broadband, data centre and inbound and outbound voice service.

About PTGi http://www.ptgi.com
Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated (PTGi) is a leading provider of advanced communication solutions, including traditional and IP voice, data, mobile services, broadband Internet, collocation, hosting, and outsourced managed services to business and residential customers in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Brazil. PTGi owns and operates its own global network of next-generation IP soft switches, media gateways, hosted IP/SIP platforms, broadband infrastructure, fiber capacity, and data centres located in Canada, Australia, and Brazil. Founded in 1994, PTGi is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.

About Australian Power & Gas http://www.australianpowerandgas.com.au
Australian Power & Gas Company Ltd is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) under the code APK. Australian Power & Gas holds a full suite of gas and electricity retail licences in Victoria, New South Wales, ACT, South Australia and Queensland and has been approved to operate by AEMO, the Australian Energy Market Operator. Australian Power & Gas was announced as the fastest starting company in the Business Review Weekly Annual Fast Starters List in 2010 and 2011, and was placed number 1 on the Business Review Weekly Fast100 list for 2010.

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