By
Dylan Crismale - Digital Content Editor
Last updated

Optus store front

Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin has confirmed to 2GB radio that its mobile and internet services are slowly making their way back online.

She said told the station "We have a path to restoring the whole network, we're bringing it up progressively and we'll be working through getting it up everywhere as soon as we can."

Optus still hasn't pinpointed the origin of the network outage. The nationwide outage started at 4am today and is affecting both the telco's internet and mobile services including those used in hospitals, businesses and public transport networks.

In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) at 6:47am today the Optus Help account said "We're aware of an issue impacting Optus mobile and nbn services and are working to restore services as quickly as possible. We understand connectivity is important and apologise for any inconvenience caused."

"We're aware of an issue impacting Optus mobile and NBN services and are working to restore services as quickly as possible. We understand connectivity is important and apologise for any inconvenience caused."

Contacting emergency services

If you experience an emergency while your Optus phone service is down you can still make a call to Triple Zero "000" using your mobile line.

Optus has confirmed that Triple Zero calls will not work from an Optus fixed-line telephone.

Emergency response agencies are advising the public to only call Triple Zero for genuine emergencies, not for updates on the status of the Optus outage. 

Customers from other telcos that utilise the Optus network also reported that they were experiencing outages. Including those from amaysim, Aussie Broadband, Moose Mobile, Coles Mobile, SpinTel, Southern Phone, Dodo and gomo.

Optus still investigating the reason for the outage

A message on the Optus network status page reads "Our engineers are currently investigating a network fault that is impacting Optus Mobile & Fixed customers, we apologise for any inconvenience caused".

Bayer Rosmarin told ABC Radio 702 this morning "Optus has tried a number of parts of restoration so far. We have not had the results we have hoped for, and we’re pursuing every avenue to get everybody back online as soon as possible. When we have an identified root cause and a time for restoration we will be updating everybody as soon as we can.”

The Australian Government is urging for a swift resolution. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland posted on X "Connectivity is essential for Australian consumers & businesses. The impacts of this outage are concerning and has left many Australians feeling anxious."

"The Government has sought further information from Optus about this development and when they expect services will be restored."

Complaints and compensation

Until the issue is resolved it's unlikely Optus will announce any compensation for residential and business customers being affected by the outage. 

Bayer Rosmarin has said Optus will look at compensation as an option once services are fully restored.

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman is advising unhappy Optus customers to make a complaint on its website. The TIO says it can "help you with refunds for the time you have been unable to use your service, compensation claims and disputes about your contract".

In the meantime if you’re looking for a new mobile plan provider, here’s a look at some of the cheapest plans on the Telstra network:

#1
Belong
Belong
25GB Mobile Plan
  • 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Includes 25GB monthly bonus data for first 12 months when you activate your new service by 30.11.26. T&Cs apply.
$34.00/mth
Min. cost $34
Link not supplied
#2
ALDI mobile
ALDI mobile
$34 Mobile Plan
  • 45GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$34.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#3
Everyday Mobile
Everyday Mobile
Pre-paid Mobile $35 Recharge
  • 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get 10% off an eligible Woolworths shop in store every month when you link your Everyday Rewards card. T&Cs apply
$35.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#4
Superloop
Superloop
SuperSim Essential 5G Plan
  • 45GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service
$35.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
#5
Tangerine Telecom
Tangerine Telecom
50GB 5G Mobile SIM
  • 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Bundle your mobile and nbn plans on the same account to get 10% off your mobile SIM-only plan fees. T&Cs apply.
$36.00/mth
Min. cost $36
#6
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile
$39 Prepaid
  • 80GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
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$39.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
#7
Exetel
Exetel
Plus One eSIM Plan
  • 130GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$40.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
#8
Superloop
Superloop
SuperSim Choice 5G Plan
  • 75GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service
$40.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
#9
More
More
50GB 5G Mobile SIM
  • 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get $10/mth off new mobile plans for 36mths, then $4/mth ongoing when you sign up with a CommBank debit or credit card. Ends 31.3.27
$40.00/mth
Min. cost $40
Link not supplied
#10
Tangerine Telecom
Tangerine Telecom
75GB 5G Mobile SIM
  • 75GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Bundle your mobile and nbn plans on the same account to get 10% off your mobile SIM-only plan fees. T&Cs apply.
$42.00/mth
Min. cost $42

Or, see some of the cheapest plans on the Vodafone network:

#1
iiNet
iiNet
30GB Small Plan
  • 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply.
$15.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
Link not supplied
#2
TPG
TPG
30GB Small Plan
  • 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply.
$15.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
Link not supplied
#3
felix mobile
felix mobile
felix Unlimited Mobile Plan
  • Unlimited data at download speeds up to 40Mbps
  • Deal: $20/mth for first 6 mths. Reverts to $40/month. Use promo code UNL40. Ends 30.11.26. T&Cs apply
$20.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
#4
Kogan Mobile
Kogan Mobile
Small Monthly Plan
  • 25GB data
$23.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
#5
felix mobile
felix mobile
felix Unlimited+ Mobile Plan
  • Unlimited data at download speeds up to 80Mbps
  • Deal: $25/mth for first 6 mths. Reverts to $50/month. Use promo code UNL80. Ends 30.11.26. T&Cs apply
$25.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
#6
Lebara Mobile
Lebara Mobile
$25 SIM Plan
  • 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get the $25 SIM for $9 online until 03.12.26. T&Cs apply
$25.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#7
Kogan Mobile
Kogan Mobile
Medium Monthly Plan
  • 60GB data
  • Deal: Get 60GB for $12 (includes $13 off for first month + 20GB bonus data for 3 months), then 40GB for $25 thereafter, valid until 10.11.26
$29.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
#8
felix mobile
felix mobile
felix 25GB Mobile Plan
  • 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $15/mth for first 3 mths, then $30/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply
$30.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
#9
felix mobile
felix mobile
felix 50GB Mobile Plan
  • 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $17.50/mth for first 3 mths, then $35/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply
$35.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
#10
Vodafone
Vodafone
$40 Prepaid Plus Recharge
  • 90GB data
  • Deal: Includes 60GB bonus data for first 3 recharges + $5 off with every Automatic Recharge
$40.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied

NBN running normally overall

NBN Co has released a statement regarding the Optus outage, pointing out that the issue is isolated. 

"At the wholesale level the NBN network is performing normally and as we would expect. However, Optus NBN customers may be experiencing difficulties with connecting to the NBN as a result of the Optus outage."

We'll keep updating this story as it unfolds.

Dylan Crismale

Digital Content Editor

Dylan Crismale
Dylan Crismale is a Digital Content Editor at WhistleOut, has been writing for almost a decade across a variety of Australian publications. He previously worked as a writer at Finder covering energy, internet and mobile plans. Dylan is passionate about finding the best deals to save people money and educating people about tech. When he's not sat at his desk Dylan loves working out, bingeing TV and hanging out with friends.​

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