A major Optus outage has disrupted NBN internet connections for approximately 95,000 customers across Brisbane and parts of Queensland. The outage, which began early Wednesday morning, also affected the ability of some customers to make Triple Zero calls from their landlines.
The telecommunications company attributed the disruption to a “network server failure” at its Brisbane exchange located in Rochedale, a southern suburb. While landline connections through the NBN were impacted, Optus confirmed that mobile phone services remained unaffected.
“Our technicians remain on site and are working as quickly as possible to fully restore connectivity for all Optus NBN customers,” Optus stated. “We sincerely apologise for the disruption and thank customers for their patience.”
Impact on Emergency Services
The outage, which began as early as 4 a.m., raised significant concerns as it hindered some customers’ ability to reach emergency services. Optus explained that “Voice over internet phone calls, via a customer’s NBN broadband connection, may have been affected if the customer has an older modem without 4G or 5G back-up.”
An Optus spokeswoman announced that services were being gradually restored by 4 p.m. Queensland time. The company advised affected customers to reset their internet modems to facilitate reconnection.
Government Response and Monitoring
The Queensland government is closely monitoring the situation, with Health Minister Tim Nicholls’ office confirming collaboration with the Queensland Ambulance Service to ensure public safety. The incident underscores the critical nature of reliable telecommunications infrastructure, particularly in emergency situations.
Historical Context and Ongoing Challenges
This latest outage comes amid an ongoing Senate inquiry into a previous Optus failure on September 18, which prevented 605 customers from reaching Triple Zero for over 14 hours across South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory. Tragically, three deaths have been linked to the September outage, intensifying scrutiny on the company’s operational reliability.
“The September outage was a wake-up call for both Optus and regulatory bodies. Ensuring robust backup systems and rapid response protocols are essential to prevent future incidents,” said telecommunications expert Dr. Emily Carter.
The Senate inquiry continues to examine the circumstances and response strategies related to the September incident, seeking to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Looking Ahead
The recent outage highlights the vulnerabilities inherent in modern telecommunications networks. As Optus works to restore full service, the company faces mounting pressure to enhance its infrastructure and crisis response capabilities. Customers and regulators alike will be watching closely to see how Optus addresses these challenges moving forward.
For now, affected customers are urged to follow Optus’ guidance on modem resets and to remain vigilant about alternative communication methods during outages. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining diverse and reliable channels for emergency communication.
