Optus Tech Glitch Disrupts Service for Hundreds of Thousands
Optus, Australia’s second-largest telecommunications provider, is currently facing an operational challenge. The company has reported a significant technical glitch affecting mobile services for a large number of customers. According to Optus, customers may see ‘No Service’ or ‘SOS’ on their devices due to this issue.
Details of the Service Disruption
Optus has advised users experiencing these messages to restart their phones as a potential remedy. The company indicated that it is collaborating with its partner, Ericsson, to resolve the situation. Initial reports revealed that approximately 220,000 customers were impacted by the outage earlier today. However, as efforts continue, this number has reportedly decreased to around 115,000.
Investigation and Customer Support
It remains unclear how the connectivity for the 105,000 customers was restored. An Optus spokesperson could not verify whether the issue was resolved through customer actions like restarting their devices. Nevertheless, the company emphasized that users can still make emergency calls to Triple Zero (000) during the outage.
Recent Leadership Changes at Optus
This technical hiccup follows recent leadership changes within the company. Optus’s Chief Technology Officer, Tony Baird, is scheduled to depart the company. In a statement released on January 8, it was announced that Sri Amirthalingam would succeed Baird, ensuring a smooth transition in the Networks division.
- Tony Baird – Leaving Optus after a transition period.
- Sri Amirthalingam – Appointed as the new Chief Technology Officer.
- Mark Potter – Former Chief Information Officer.
- John McInerney – The new Chief Information Officer, joined in November 2025.
The timeline for Baird’s official exit has not been disclosed as Optus continues to navigate both leadership and technical challenges closely.
