Optus is DOWN as 10 million wake up to internet blackout and transport systems descend into chaos: Cafes close, Uber prices surge and hospitals affected in ‘biggest outage in Australian history’

Optus is experiencing one of the biggest outages in Australian history with millions of customers impacted, as well as hospitals and businesses.

The outage was first reported at 4am on Wednesday with Optus mobile users saying they are unable to make or receive calls and texts, with the internet network and home broadband also down.

Optus users in Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, the ACT, Tasmania and Adelaide have all reported a blackout with the network.

Melbourne’s train network also shut down earlier on Wednesday, leaving many commuters stranded. 

It’s believed this was a result of the Optus outage. Metro Trains have since confirmed services have resumed but major delays are expected.

Uber prices have also surged as many drivers are forced offline due to the Optus blackout. 

Optus is experiencing a nationwide outage with millions of customers impacted

Other carriers that use the Optus mobile network like Amaysim, Vaya, Aussie Broadband, Moose Mobile, Coles Mobile, Spintel, Southern Phone and Dodo Mobile are also down.

Melbourne’s Northern Health district said their hospitals’ phone lines had been impacted.

‘All phone lines into Northern Health campuses are currently being affected by an Optus outage,’ they said.

‘This includes phone lines into Northern Hospital Epping, Broadmeadows Hospital, Bundoora Centre, Craigieburn Centre, Kilmore District Hospital, and Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED). We apologise for any inconvenience.’

One carer in Melbourne said they weren’t able to call an ambulance after their patient suffered a cardiac arrest.

‘I had to run out on the street and borrow a phone from someone walking his dog,’ they told ABC Radio Melbourne.

The telco said it was aware of issues affecting some customers but is yet to explain the system failure.

‘Optus is aware of an issue that may be impacting some of our mobile and internet customers,’ a spokesperson said.

‘We are currently working to identify the cause and apologise for any inconvenience.

‘In case of an emergency, customers can still call 000.’

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the company is yet to provide answers as to the outage. 

Pictured are where Optus users have reported the network blackout

EFTM technology expert Trevor Long said it was the ‘biggest telco outage’ in Australia.

‘To have the mobile and home broadband down at the same time, means if you’re an Optus family, you are without communication this morning,’ he told 2GB.

‘There’s literally no way of communicating if Optus is the only communications into your home on your home broadband and mobile phone, which would definitely be a big chunk of those customers.’

Mr Long said there had been little communication from Optus, and said a potential hack would be something they are looking into.

The failure could also be down to a broken cable, an IT failure or an upgrade failure, the expert added. 

Many Optus users vented their frustration online

Many Aussie Optus subscribers have shared their frustration online, with some only able to make SOS calls.

‘How is it possible that the entire country could have no #optus? I have no phone coverage at all,’ one tweeted.

‘What is going on with #Optus this morning. Woke up and phone not working. No email or Comms from the company either. Poor form,’ said another.

‘Cool, thanks to Optus, the second I leave the house today I will have no reception or data service on my phone. Let’s hope no customers have any emergencies today,’ another said.

Optus has 10.2million users across the country. 

More to come