QUEENSLAND FLOODS - OPTUS NETWORK UPDATE, 1PM

As of 1pm today there has been localised impact to the Optus mobile and fixed network in the flood affected areas of Queensland. As the flooding situation is changing rapidly, an increasing number of mobile sites as well as fixed network nodes are at risk due to power outages which may disrupt fixed and mobile services to customers. Where possible, we have deployed backup generators in some locations throughout the flood affected areas to allow us to respond to power outages. Optus engineers continue to closely monitor the network during this period of excessive flooding in Queensland to minimise any impact on our customers. We thank our customers for their continued patience as services are disrupted due to power outages.

Brisbane

In Brisbane, Optus expects to experience some disruption to its mobile and fixed network infrastructure in the CBD area later today due to the Energex power outage. This will affect our Brisbane transmission CBD facility, resulting in the loss of 2G and 3G mobile services in the area as well as some business services in the CBD. As network capacity has been prioritised for voice calls and SMS, mobile internet data is also slower than normal. Partial coverage is available in the CBD, supplemented by additional towers in the surrounding area.

Ipswich

In Ipswich, several network nodes on our HFC network have also been impacted by the power outages, affecting fixed home phone and internet services to some customers.

Toowoomba

In Toowoomba and the surrounding area, Optus has two mobile towers at Helidon and Gunters Hill that are currently without power. However limited services are still available as coverage to these towns is being supplemented by additional towers in the area. While Optus’ equipment at the Toowoomba exchange has not been affected, residential and business customers may experience a disruption to fixed services due to flood damage within their premises.

Lockyer Valley

Due to a loss of power at Mt Stradbroke, our mobile towers within the Lockyer Valley ran out of battery power at 9:10 pm local time last night resulting in the loss of all mobile services. We were able access the area this morning to deploy power generators onsite which has partially restored services at five mobile sites, including Gatton. Sydney to Brisbane Links

One of our Sydney to Brisbane links has experienced an optical fibre break in the Helidon area due to the floods. However, all protected services have been switched successfully to our coastal link, so residential and business customers have not been impacted. “We continue to monitor the situation closely. Should customers need to contact emergency services in the event of an Optus mobile service disruption, we encourage customers to call 000 from their mobile to be switched to the nearest available mobile network,” said Clare Gill, General Manager of Optus Government and Corporate Affairs. “Our thoughts are with all Queenslanders affected by this tragedy. Optus is doing its best to keep the network operational and minimise service disruption in the affected areas.”

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Contact Information:
Optus consumer customers should contact 133 937 with enquiries
Optus SMB customers should contact 133 343 with enquiries