West Coast Council Demands Accountability for Persistent Telstra Outages
The West Coast Council of Tasmania has raised significant concerns regarding ongoing Telstra outages affecting mobile services in the region. This week, a specific hardware fault caused disruptions in Queenstown, compounding a series of service failures that the council deems unacceptable. The council emphasized the urgency of reliable telecommunications as vital infrastructure for the West Coast community.
Community Impact and Council Response
The West Coast Council stated that unreliable services impact the entire community, including residents, local businesses, and essential services. They have formally demanded immediate action from Telstra and several government entities to address these issues effectively.
- Residents report ongoing service interruptions.
- Local businesses face challenges due to unreliable telecommunications.
- Frontline services and emergency responses are hindered.
Telstra’s Acknowledgment and Repairs
A representative from Telstra confirmed the hardware issue at the Queenstown mobile station is responsible for the outages. The company has engaged specialists to assist with repairs, which require work at height atop the mobile tower. They are actively addressing the issue while requesting the community’s patience during the repair process.
Strategic Improvements in Telecommunications
Alongside immediate fixes, Telstra is exploring options for enhancing service reliability and coverage in the West Coast area. They are seeking financial support from both Commonwealth and state government initiatives, such as the Western Region Strategic Partnership and Regional Development Australia.
Advice for Affected Customers
In the meantime, Telstra has advised customers with fixed internet access to enable Wi-Fi Calling. This allows mobile phones to make and receive calls through a home internet connection. Business owners are also encouraged to connect their EFTPOS systems to NBN or fixed Wi-Fi to minimize transaction challenges.
Urgent Need for Reliable Telecommunications
The West Coast Council reiterated that telecommunications in remote areas serve as more than just a convenience; they are essential for emergency preparedness, healthcare access, and community safety. They expressed that consistent and reliable telecommunications services are a necessity for the region.
As the situation develops, the council remains committed to pursuing long-term solutions to ensure telecommunications services meet the needs of the West Coast community.
