Optus courts Seven for Australian open

Optus has announced it will air a live stream of the 2009 Australian Open direct to mobiles across the nation.

The telecommunications giant is set to team up with the Seven Network and will bring its customers a real-time link to the network's exclusive coverage of the tennis tournament.

The service is free to Optus customers. Optus Pre-Paid mobile customers will be charged a 22c flagfall to click the subscribe link within the Optus Zoo portal. Live Streaming is only available within the Optus 3G/HSPA coverage areas and is not available on the Apple iPhone.

This new partnership with Seven follows in the footsteps of previous successful collaborations with networks Nine and Ten by rival operator 3.

Last season’s summer of cricket saw customers tune in to 3 mobile's direct stream of Channel Nine's live broadcast of the Commonwealth Bank Series in record numbers. Dubbed "Cricket TV", the program received over 1.2 million views.

Enthusiastic customers were also able to access archive footage, replays, video highlights, mobile cricket games, cricket news, cricket ring tones and pictures on their mobiles a total of 2.8 million times.

3’s collaboration with Network Ten in 2008 also delivered 3G customers with access to extras and content for the network's hit reality TV show; Big Brother.

This year, "video highlights, Coach Roche video tips, player profiles and news, schedule of play, results, tournament information and downloads including wallpapers and mobile games" will all be a part of Optus' Australian Open mobile viewing package.

"Customers are increasingly using their mobile to stay up-to-date with sports, news and finance," said Mark Mulder, Optus general manager for content and portals in a statement.

"Live streaming the Australian Open is another example of Optus offering leading technology and rich content for its customers."