Conflicting Guidance Triggers Torquay Mobile Service Outage Confusion
Torquay residents are facing mobile service interruptions due to conflicting information from Telstra regarding scheduled outages. Users received geotargeted text alerts stating that services would be reduced daily from 7 AM to 5 PM, starting from February 25 for 16 days.
Confusion Over Outage Dates and Times
However, Telstra later published information suggesting that the service shutdown at the Torquay North site would occur from 7 AM to 7 PM between February 25 and February 27. A Telstra spokesperson clarified this timeline, stating that the full outage would conclude on February 27. The disruptions are reportedly due to planned works by a third-party mobile provider that require a temporary shutdown of Telstra’s equipment on the shared tower.
- Start Date: February 25, 2026
- End Date: February 27, 2026 (full site outage)
- Daily Shutdown Period: 7 AM to 5 PM (initial messages) or 7 AM to 7 PM (website update)
Safety Measures During Outages
Telstra emphasized that these outages are a common industry practice aimed at ensuring worker safety. The spokesperson noted that conducting work on a tower while operational is considered unsafe. It is customary to limit such activities to daylight hours to prioritize the wellbeing of personnel.
During the service interruptions, users can only make calls and send texts by switching to Wi-Fi calling. Telstra has assured customers that landline and NBN services will remain unaffected. Businesses are encouraged to connect EFTPOS machines to Wi-Fi to avoid transaction delays.
Future Service Challenges and Advocacy
Following these outages, additional intermittent disruptions are expected between 7 AM and 7 PM until March 13. As these service issues unfold, the Surf Coast Shire has announced plans to advocate for better mobile coverage in the area. They will present a motion to the Australian Local Government Association national assembly, urging the federal government to require mobile carriers to enhance network coverage, especially during peak loads and in high-risk disaster areas.
Deputy mayor Tony Phelps highlighted the urgent need for improved services, noting that mobile coverage often fails when visitor numbers increase. He underscored the critical nature of having reliable mobile networks in emergencies, particularly in bushfire-prone regions. The Australian Parliament is currently considering a bill aimed at establishing nationwide minimum coverage standards, but Phelps believes this approach falls short of addressing the real needs of the community.
Notably, during the outage days, calls from Telstra mobile phones to emergency services (Triple Zero) will automatically redirect to another mobile network to ensure public safety. However, Telstra did not provide additional details regarding the reasoning behind the site shutdown, attributing it to third-party requests.
