Telstra inks $4.5m ME Bank deal

Telstra has won a three-year contract to supply voice and data services to Melbourne-based ME Bank.

Under the $4.5 million agreement, Telstra will provide access to its Next IP and Next G fixed and mobile networks, and supply Blackberry devices for ME Bank's mobile employees and senior executives.

ME (Members Equity) Bank currently employs more than 800 workers. It plans to expand across the country this year.

According to the bank's executive IT manager Shane Kuret, Telstra was chosen for its coverage in remote and rural areas.

"The network will be critical to improving business efficiencies, increasing employee productivity and providing great customer service as we continue to grow the business," Kuret said in a statement.

"By using the Telstra Next G network, our mobile banking managers can field calls from our customer contact centre to answer queries, as well as have reliable Internet access for research and email communication while on the road," he said.