Optus Fined $12 Million for Emergency Call Failures During 2023 Outage

The Australian Communications and Media Authority penalizes Optus for leaving over 2,000 customers unable to reach emergency services during a preventable network failure.

• Optus experienced a 14-hour network outage in November 2023, affecting emergency call access for 2,145 customers.
• The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) fined Optus $12 million for breaching emergency call service regulations.
• Optus failed to conduct welfare checks on 369 individuals who attempted emergency calls during the outage.
• The outage prompted regulatory changes, requiring telecoms to ensure mobile phones can access emergency services.
• Optus, already facing legal action over alleged sales misconduct, has committed to improving its emergency call management.

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The Guardian news.com.au