Did the recent Optus outage affect you? You might be eligible for compensation.
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If you're an Optus customer impacted by the recent massive network outage, you're certainly not alone.
Millions of Australians have been left in limbo, unable to make calls, send texts, or access the internet on their phones and home broadband—even contact emergency services.
Hospitals struggled to reach doctors, small businesses lost trade, and public transport ground to a halt in some areas, showing just how much we all rely on a connected world.
For many people, this outage hasn't just been an inconvenience; it's hit hip pockets and disrupted lives.
That is why there is a big question on everyone's mind: am I eligible for compensation?
Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin has committed to addressing compensation for the millions of affected customers once their services are back up and running.
'We will consider every possibility once services are restored,' she said during an interview.
'Of course, we are looking at what we can do to thank customers for their patience. You can expect something coming out from us in that regard.'
Ms Rosmarin added that Optus is deeply sorry for the outage and is committed to providing excellent customer service, doing everything possible to make amends.
The recent Optus outage, starting at 4 a.m. on a Wednesday, disrupted the lives of many Aussies, especially those who depend on landlines.
The most concerning part of this outage is that Optus landline users couldn't reach emergency services. This meant people at home without a mobile phone couldn't call the police, ambulance, or fire services during the outage.
Hospitals, businesses, and transportation networks also faced difficulties due to this situation. Internet and home broadband services were also affected.
The number of reported outages to Optus was massive, with nearly 9,000 reports submitted before 6 a.m., and this number continued to rise as more people began their day.
Communication Minister Michelle Rowland addressed the nation's frustrations in a press conference recently, emphasising the need for Optus to be open and quick in finding a solution for its customers.
'It is vital for Optus to be transparent and timely in the updates it is giving to its customers about the nature of its fault, its impact and its possible rectification,' she said.
She also pointed out that these frustrations aren't just about inconvenience; they also include economic hardships for some. Then, she advised customers to document how the outage has affected them to have evidence of their losses.
'It's important to keep receipts so that any recourse and any redress that may be available to them has that evidentiary base.'
I was affected by the outage. What can I do?
If you've already contacted Optus and are unsatisfied with their response, you can file a complaint with the Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman. If you haven't been able to reach Optus, they can forward your complaint on your behalf.
'We can help you with refunds for the time you have been unable to use your service, compensation claims and disputes about your contract,' said the agency.
The Australian Media and Communications Authority (ACMA) encourages affected customers to formally complain to their telco. Depending on your contract with your provider, you might be eligible for a refund or compensation.
They explained: 'Some contracts allow you to apply for a refund or rebate when you can't use a service because of an outage. This is usually only for major outages that you did not cause.'
Telecom companies might even voluntarily offer compensation for service loss, even if they aren't obligated to do so.
According to Australian consumer law, you can request a refund or rebate for the outage. If the outages are frequent or major, you can ask for a refund or rebate for the time without service, cancel your contract without penalties, or seek compensation for any losses incurred due to the outages.
It can be inconvenient to deal with network disruptions, but being aware of your rights and the potential for compensation can provide some comfort.
Members, we hope you found this article informative. Were you affected by the recent Optus outage? How was your experience? Share them with us in the comments below!
Millions of Australians have been left in limbo, unable to make calls, send texts, or access the internet on their phones and home broadband—even contact emergency services.
Hospitals struggled to reach doctors, small businesses lost trade, and public transport ground to a halt in some areas, showing just how much we all rely on a connected world.
For many people, this outage hasn't just been an inconvenience; it's hit hip pockets and disrupted lives.
That is why there is a big question on everyone's mind: am I eligible for compensation?
Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin has committed to addressing compensation for the millions of affected customers once their services are back up and running.
'We will consider every possibility once services are restored,' she said during an interview.
'Of course, we are looking at what we can do to thank customers for their patience. You can expect something coming out from us in that regard.'
Ms Rosmarin added that Optus is deeply sorry for the outage and is committed to providing excellent customer service, doing everything possible to make amends.
The recent Optus outage, starting at 4 a.m. on a Wednesday, disrupted the lives of many Aussies, especially those who depend on landlines.
The most concerning part of this outage is that Optus landline users couldn't reach emergency services. This meant people at home without a mobile phone couldn't call the police, ambulance, or fire services during the outage.
Hospitals, businesses, and transportation networks also faced difficulties due to this situation. Internet and home broadband services were also affected.
The number of reported outages to Optus was massive, with nearly 9,000 reports submitted before 6 a.m., and this number continued to rise as more people began their day.
Communication Minister Michelle Rowland addressed the nation's frustrations in a press conference recently, emphasising the need for Optus to be open and quick in finding a solution for its customers.
'It is vital for Optus to be transparent and timely in the updates it is giving to its customers about the nature of its fault, its impact and its possible rectification,' she said.
She also pointed out that these frustrations aren't just about inconvenience; they also include economic hardships for some. Then, she advised customers to document how the outage has affected them to have evidence of their losses.
'It's important to keep receipts so that any recourse and any redress that may be available to them has that evidentiary base.'
I was affected by the outage. What can I do?
If you've already contacted Optus and are unsatisfied with their response, you can file a complaint with the Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman. If you haven't been able to reach Optus, they can forward your complaint on your behalf.
'We can help you with refunds for the time you have been unable to use your service, compensation claims and disputes about your contract,' said the agency.
The Australian Media and Communications Authority (ACMA) encourages affected customers to formally complain to their telco. Depending on your contract with your provider, you might be eligible for a refund or compensation.
They explained: 'Some contracts allow you to apply for a refund or rebate when you can't use a service because of an outage. This is usually only for major outages that you did not cause.'
Telecom companies might even voluntarily offer compensation for service loss, even if they aren't obligated to do so.
According to Australian consumer law, you can request a refund or rebate for the outage. If the outages are frequent or major, you can ask for a refund or rebate for the time without service, cancel your contract without penalties, or seek compensation for any losses incurred due to the outages.
Key Takeaways
- Optus experienced one of its most significant network outages in history, affecting services including mobile, fixed and broadband services across several regions.
- Customers, particularly small businesses, are being advised to document any financial losses they incur during the outage for potential compensation claims.
- Communication Minister Michelle Rowland emphasised Optus' need for transparency and timely problem-solving.
- Despite the service disruption, ACMA mentioned that compensation or refunds are mostly limited to major outages and advised customers to review their service contracts for potential rebates or refunds for the outage.
It can be inconvenient to deal with network disruptions, but being aware of your rights and the potential for compensation can provide some comfort.
Members, we hope you found this article informative. Were you affected by the recent Optus outage? How was your experience? Share them with us in the comments below!