Telstra's recent network failure, mirroring Optus's in 2025, underscores Australia's policy prioritizing competition over essential service reliability. The article argues for a national essential services network (ESN) for resilience.
Telstra's recent network failure, mirroring Optus's 2025 incident, has reignited debate over Australia's telecommunications policy. The article argues that prioritizing competition over essential service reliability, a legacy of 1990s reforms, has led to patchy networks and service failures, including for triple zero calls. A call for a national essential services network (ESN) is made.
Millions were affected by a massive Telstra outage, but the opposition, led by Angus Taylor, struggled to criticize the government due to their own team's gaffes, including testing triple zero and unsubstantiated claims of foreign interference.
KPMG confirmed staff leaked Optus confidential data to colleagues bidding for Telstra's audit contract. The firm also surveilled a whistleblower, dismissing their concerns as "workplace grievances." Former CEO Andrew Yates resigned over the scandal, receiving $4.1m. Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand is investigating 12 individuals.
