The Optus network outage that occurred on October 4, 2023, affected millions of customers across Australia, including those on the Gold Coast. The outage began at approximately 4:00 AM AEST and lasted for several hours, causing widespread disruption to mobile phone, internet, and landline services.
The outage had a significant impact on Gold Coast residents, many of whom were unable to make phone calls, send text messages, or access the internet. The outage also affected businesses, many of which rely on Optus’s network for their operations.
Some of the specific impacts of the outage on the Gold Coast included:
- Disruption to emergency services: Landline customers were unable to call triple zero (000), the emergency number in Australia. Mobile users could still reach the emergency line, but there were some reports of delays.
- Disruption to businesses: Many businesses on the Gold Coast were unable to operate without access to Optus’s network. This included restaurants, cafes, shops, and other businesses that rely on phones and internet for payments, bookings, and communication.
- Disruption to residents: Residents on the Gold Coast were unable to make or receive phone calls, send or receive text messages, or access the internet. This caused frustration and inconvenience for many people.
Optus has apologized for the outage and has said that it is investigating the cause. The company has also said that it is working to restore services as quickly as possible.
Optus has provided the following compensation to customers who were affected by the outage:
- A $10 credit to mobile phone bills
- A $50 credit to internet bills
- A free month of Optus Sport
In the event of a future Optus outage, Gold Coast residents are advised to:
- Have a backup plan for communication: This could include having a mobile phone with a different provider, or having a landline phone that does not rely on Optus’s network.
- Have a backup plan for internet access: This could include using a mobile phone as a hotspot, or using a public Wi-Fi network.
- Stay informed: Keep up-to-date on the latest information about the outage by checking Optus’s website or social media channels.