Name: Triple-zero calls may be affected after Optus tower vandalism
Uploaded: 2025-11-05T12:11:44.174Z
Duration: 1 min 17 s
Description: Around 34,000 Optus customers in the Hunter region experienced a major service outage after a telecommunications tower was vandalised. Just two days after the Optus CEO fronted the Senate over triple-zero outages, police are worried it may have happened again.

Around 34,000 Optus customers in the Hunter region experienced a major service outage after a telecommunications tower was vandalised. Just two days after the Optus CEO fronted the Senate over triple-zero outages, police are worried it may have happened again.

Hunter Region

Optus faced a significant technical issue in the Hunter Region, New South Wales, after a communications tower was intentionally damaged, disrupting phone, mobile data, and emergency call services for approximately 34,000 customers. The incident, which occurred around 9:30 a.m., prompted police investigations and welfare checks to assess the impact on emergency service connectivity.

Optus has since restored services to all affected sites and is working with authorities to identify those responsible for the sabotage. This event follows a previous outage in September linked to multiple deaths, raising ongoing concerns about the reliability of emergency communications.

Triple-zero calls may be affected after Optus tower vandalism

Just two days after being grilled by the Senate over its deadly triple zero outage, Optus is dealing with another technical issue. This time it impacted tens of thousands of customers in New South Wales and potentially disrupted their ability to call the emergency line. John Paul Gonzo has more on this story and JP, this latest problem was caused by sabotage. Earth's police are investigating after an Optus tower in the New South Wales Hunter region was damaged around 9.30 this morning in what's being described as an intentional act of vandalism. The telco alerted customers in Port Stephens, Maitland and surrounding areas that a fibre break meant phone calls, mobile data and access to triple zero calls were potentially impacted. It's understood this affected around 34,000 customers. Optus now says it has restored services to all sites, adding that welfare checks are underway to investigate any failed attempts to connect to emergency services. This of course comes after the deadly triple zero outage in September which has been linked to at least three deaths. Earth's police are still investigating to find whoever is responsible for this and technicians are working to repair that damage.

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