Telstra outage cripples entire community, prompting calls for support
- Replies 15
In an age where connectivity is as essential as electricity and running water, losing mobile and internet services can be deeply unsettling.
This nightmare became a reality when a Telstra outage left them without essential communication services for several days.
The incident sparked outrage and fear and highlighted rural communities' vulnerability in the face of technological failures.
Shirley Cook, a 54-year-old resident with a disability that affects her mobility, found herself in a precarious situation when her mobile phone, which is vital for her twice-daily welfare checks, suddenly became non-operational.
With no prior warning from Telstra, Shirley and many others were left in the dark as the Northam East tower outage coincided with a planned outage of the Northam North tower, stripping away the network's backup coverage.
The outage didn't just affect individuals; it had a ripple effect across the community.
Social and tourist events were chaotic, as vendors, volunteers, and visitors were forced to scramble for cash in a town with few bank branches.
The situation was dire for businesses that rely on card transactions and residents who depend on mobile connectivity for their daily needs and safety.
Shirley, who is battling cancer and requires regular hospital visits, was one of the many who suffered due to the communication breakdown.
'If I need help, I am not able to get it unless it is something that requires triple-0,' she explained.
The outage was not just an inconvenience; it was endangering lives.
Telstra's response to the crisis was to advise vulnerable customers not solely to rely on a single mobile service and to consider paying for a second service as a backup.
However, this suggestion was far from practical for pensioners like Shirley, who already need help to make ends meet.
Many residents, bound by the limitations of their remote location, have few alternatives and need help to afford the luxury of multiple connectivity services.
The outage also overshadowed the Northam Cup and the Northam Multicultural & Heritage Festival, with the Northam Race Club manager expressing grave concerns about the impact on their operations.
Telstra had arranged for the planned outage to be completed before these local events.
Still, the unplanned outage at another site in Northam disrupted connectivity on the day of the races.
Even the Gidge Show, a significant attraction in Gidgegannup, felt the strain as vendors and volunteers were forced to revert to cash transactions due to network congestion.
Telstra claimed there were no outages in Gidgegannup, attributing the issues to higher-than-anticipated traffic at the event.
This incident reminds us of the fragility of our modern communication networks and their profound impact on our lives.
It underscores the need for robust, reliable services, especially in regional and rural areas with limited alternatives.
As the former national carrier, Telstra is responsible for ensuring that its network is resilient and that contingency plans are in place to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.
How prepared are we for such an event, and what measures can we take to safeguard our communities against the perils of connectivity loss? Let us know in the comments below.
This nightmare became a reality when a Telstra outage left them without essential communication services for several days.
The incident sparked outrage and fear and highlighted rural communities' vulnerability in the face of technological failures.
Shirley Cook, a 54-year-old resident with a disability that affects her mobility, found herself in a precarious situation when her mobile phone, which is vital for her twice-daily welfare checks, suddenly became non-operational.
With no prior warning from Telstra, Shirley and many others were left in the dark as the Northam East tower outage coincided with a planned outage of the Northam North tower, stripping away the network's backup coverage.
Residents were left without essential communication services due to a Telstra outage in the Wheatbelt area of WA. Credit: Shutterstock
The outage didn't just affect individuals; it had a ripple effect across the community.
Social and tourist events were chaotic, as vendors, volunteers, and visitors were forced to scramble for cash in a town with few bank branches.
The situation was dire for businesses that rely on card transactions and residents who depend on mobile connectivity for their daily needs and safety.
Shirley, who is battling cancer and requires regular hospital visits, was one of the many who suffered due to the communication breakdown.
'If I need help, I am not able to get it unless it is something that requires triple-0,' she explained.
The outage was not just an inconvenience; it was endangering lives.
Telstra's response to the crisis was to advise vulnerable customers not solely to rely on a single mobile service and to consider paying for a second service as a backup.
However, this suggestion was far from practical for pensioners like Shirley, who already need help to make ends meet.
Many residents, bound by the limitations of their remote location, have few alternatives and need help to afford the luxury of multiple connectivity services.
The outage also overshadowed the Northam Cup and the Northam Multicultural & Heritage Festival, with the Northam Race Club manager expressing grave concerns about the impact on their operations.
Telstra had arranged for the planned outage to be completed before these local events.
Still, the unplanned outage at another site in Northam disrupted connectivity on the day of the races.
Even the Gidge Show, a significant attraction in Gidgegannup, felt the strain as vendors and volunteers were forced to revert to cash transactions due to network congestion.
Telstra claimed there were no outages in Gidgegannup, attributing the issues to higher-than-anticipated traffic at the event.
This incident reminds us of the fragility of our modern communication networks and their profound impact on our lives.
It underscores the need for robust, reliable services, especially in regional and rural areas with limited alternatives.
As the former national carrier, Telstra is responsible for ensuring that its network is resilient and that contingency plans are in place to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.
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And my mobile coverage, Optus,isn't great because of a lack of towers in the area, but wasn't completely stuck.
