Optus boosts network resilience to help communities stay connected

• Optus bolsters emergency preparedness with investment in additional 200 generators across Australia ahead of high-risk weather season
• Part of ongoing commitment to help customers stay connected during severe weather and power outages
• Optus is also providing simple advice on the steps Australians can take to prepare for the summer season

Optus has further strengthened its network ahead of the upcoming high-risk weather season, upgrading battery capability at priority sites, securing three new small cell drones and investing in 200 additional generators across Australia over the past 12 months.

These investments are designed to help customers and communities stay connected for longer during severe weather events, when access to information, emergency updates, loved ones and essential services can matter most.

This reflects the broader resilience work Optus has undertaken to strengthen network continuity during power outages and natural disasters.

When mains power is lost because of severe weather, batteries automatically provide backup power to keep mobile sites operating. At priority sites, Optus has extended battery backup capability by up to three times previous capacity, helping maintain connectivity during an emergency and supporting recovery efforts in the hours that follow.

Sites were prioritised based on their exposure to recurrent disaster events and locations that experience significant seasonal population increases during the summer holiday period. We have invested in network resilience so customers and communities can stay connected for longer when severe weather and power outages occur.

As another layer of resilience, Optus has invested in three small cell drones to rapidly support mobile connectivity in targeted and isolated locations during extreme situations. Depending on local conditions, they can provide coverage across a radius of up to 2km, helping keep emergency responders, communities and customers connected when traditional infrastructure is unavailable or impacted.

Optus spokesperson Jane McNamara said resilient connectivity plays an important role in helping communities prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters.

“When severe weather impacts a community, staying connected can make a real difference. It helps people access important information, check on loved ones, contact emergency services and stay connected to the support they need.

“That’s why we continue to invest in the resilience of our network. By strengthening backup power at priority sites and adding 200 generators across the country, we’re helping communities stay connected for longer when they need it most.

“The additional generators also give us greater flexibility to direct resources to areas facing the highest risk or greatest impact during an emergency.”

The generators further bolster Optus' ongoing investments in resilience initiatives across the country which include:

• Securing three new small cell drones to enhance the ability to rapidly respond and restore mobile connectivity in very targeted and isolated locations.
• Deploying critical Power Extenders to increase mobile network resilience during power outages.
• Deploying satellite powered mobile base stations and portable mobile base stations for rapid deployment of temporary connectivity during emergency events. These are supported by FlyAway kits that use satellite to provide further communication during emergency events.
• Commissioned additional Low Earth Orbit mobile base stations for future use to provide temporary restoration of mobile connectivity.

How customers can prepare

In addition to its ongoing work to prepare the network for extreme weather, Optus is also providing simple advice on the steps Australians can take to prepare.

• Keep your software up to date and a charged mobile device available. Software is routinely updated to fix bugs and improve emergency calling reliability and network compatibility.  We recommend turning on a utomatic software updates so you are always up to date. Learn more about updating phone software.
• Write down emergency numbers. Know who you should call when disaster strikes. Keep numbers for emergency services saved on your phone or written down.
• Have a Plan B. Talk to family and neighbours about how you’d contact each other if usual communications arrangements are disrupted. Use a landline phone or public phone, if available, or connect to WiFi and use WiFi calling on your device.
• Get a portable battery or generator. Ensure you have a portable phone battery pack, portable generator or both that you can use to recharge your phone and essential devices in case they run out of charge.
• Back-up any data on your devices. Make sure that photos, videos, messages and data can be accessed via a cloud back-up or local storage back-up in case the data or device gets lost.
• Check before you buy an older phone or one from overseas. Not all phones from other countries are configured for Australian networks, which means they may not be able to call Emergency Services in all circumstances. Older or refurbished phones may also not have the latest technology and may not be able to call Emergency Services in all circumstances. 
• Stay informed. Listen to your local emergency broadcaster and check the Optus network outage page for disruptions in your area.

For more information about preparedness advice, visit https://www.optus.com.au/connected/work-education/australian-higher-risk-weather-season-tips

ENDS

Media enquiries:
Optus Media Team
Phone: 02 9037 8179
Email: media@optus.com.au

About Optus

Optus is Australia’s second largest telecommunications provider, with a network that reaches 99.1%* of the Australian population and provides services that connect around 12 million consumers and businesses across the nation.

Backed by some 7,000 employees, 240 retail stores across the country, award-winning 5G and human tech support available online 24/7, we offer a wide range of services, including mobile and home phone plans, internet and broadband, satellite services and business solutions that help make life easier and better for our customers and the nation.

We're committed to using our network and expertise to help people move forward by removing barriers and enabling action, so Australians can get on with what matters most. This starts with listening to our customers' needs and investing in our people, partnerships, communities and technology to create a better, connected Australia. For more information go to www.optus.com.au.

_{*4G network coverage based on 2021 census data. Check 4G and 5G coverage at optus.com.au/coverage.}