Financial services firms left stranded by Optus outage
Multiple financial services companies were left unable to fully function after an Optus outage hit nationwide.
Around 10 million users were left unable to use their mobile data or WiFi via 4G and 5G internet for at least eight hours on Wednesday morning (8 November), beginning at 4:00am.
Data from Finder estimates one in four Australians have Optus as their mobile network and spends an average of $50 per month on their mobile phone plans.
For smaller businesses, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman has recommended they make a complaint and keep receipts in the event of any redress being available in the future, but said it is too early to comment on compensation activity.
Optus is not listed on the ASX but rival firms Telstra and TPG both saw their shares prices rises during the day.
AMP stated: “Due to the Optus network outage, our contact centre teams are unable to receive or make calls at this time.” Instead customers were directed to use their internet banking or app services.
AMP later posted a follow-up statement around 4:00pm saying service had been restored and its contact centres were receiving calls again.
Big four banks Commonwealth Bank of Australia, ANZ and Westpac all posted statements that their services had been affected as well as St George Bank, ING Australia and MetLife Australia.
“We are aware of the current nationwide Optus outage and that this may be affecting customers trying to contact us. We apologise for any inconvenience,” a statement from ANZ read.
Westpac stated: “The current Optus outage means we are unable to take some calls at this time. Our branches, chat, mobile and internet banking services are still up and running.”
Optus, which is owned by Singapore Telecommunications, provided only limited information about what was causing the delay, stating it was “aware of an issue”.
A statement on its website said: “Our engineers are currently investigating a network fault that has impacted Optus Mobile & Fixed customers, we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
In response, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland called on Optus to be more transparent about its activities and how it was working to rectify them.
AUTHOR
Laura Dew
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