Optus has beaten its perennial Australian rivals to secure a government contract for IT services.

Optus has been selected by the New South Wales Department of Finance and Services (DFS) to administer the IT part of its managed mobility services.

The telco will be in charge of helpdesk, mobile device management, mobile voice and mobile data services available to agencies supported by ServiceFirst, the multi-faceted shared service provider within the NSW Government.

The contract with NSW DFS was a “major milestone’ for Optus, according to managing director of business John Paitaridis.

It should be beneficial for all, and an opportunity for “both parties to secure cost savings and productivity gains in Government telecommunications services,” Paitaridis said.

“We see today’s announcement as a vote of confidence in Optus’ ability to deliver a complete mobility service to large, complex organisations,”

“We look forward to working with DFS and agencies supported by ServiceFirst on new, innovative mobility solutions that will assist it in achieving its aim of improving customer centric government service delivery,” he said.