Anika Wells to Meet Singtel Boss as Optus Faces Second Triple-Zero Outage in Weeks

Australia's telecommunications landscape is under scrutiny once again as Optus grapples with its second triple-zero outage in less than two weeks. Communications Minister Anika Wells has scheduled a meeting with Singtel's boss, the parent company of Optus, to address the recurring issues that have left emergency services vulnerable.

The latest incident disrupted triple-zero calls in New South Wales' Illawarra region, raising alarms among residents and officials alike. Optus quickly assured the public that it had confirmed the welfare of all affected callers, emphasizing that no lives were believed to be at immediate risk. However, the back-to-back failures have intensified calls for accountability in the nation's critical infrastructure.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers didn't mince words, labeling Optus' repeated lapses as "absolutely unacceptable." He highlighted the operator's ongoing struggles to maintain reliable emergency access, a cornerstone of public safety. Despite mounting political pressure, the federal government is holding firm against demands for a comprehensive independent inquiry into the entire triple-zero system. Officials argue that targeted investigations into Optus' specific shortcomings are more appropriate than a broad overhaul at this stage.

This outage comes hot on the heels of a similar disruption just over a week ago, which also hampered emergency responses across parts of the country. Optus has faced backlash before for network failures, including a massive 2023 blackout that affected millions. Regulators are now probing whether systemic issues within the company—or perhaps the broader telco sector—are to blame.

For everyday Australians, these incidents underscore a sobering reality: in moments of crisis, the line to help can't afford to go dead. As Wells prepares for her discussions with Singtel, the focus will likely turn to preventive measures and stricter compliance to restore trust in the system. Optus, meanwhile, vows to implement fixes swiftly, but only time will tell if these promises hold up under pressure.

Read the original article on The Guardian for more details.