ACMA sues Optus over 2025 network outage and Triple Zero call failures
Consensus Summary
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has sued Optus over a major network outage in September 2025 that disrupted Triple Zero emergency calls, alleging more than 1,000 breaches of legal obligations. The outage lasted 14 hours, with 75 per cent of 605 Triple Zero attempts failing, and was linked to a routine network upgrade plagued by as many as 10 crucial mistakes. ACMA previously fined Optus more than $12 million for a similar outage in November 2023, which affected more than 360 customers. The regulator has emphasized that reliable access to Triple Zero is a fundamental obligation, and penalties could reach as much as $250 million if all contraventions are upheld. Optus has acknowledged the failures and committed to improving network resilience and accountability.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- ACMA is suing Optus over a network outage in September 2025 that disrupted Triple Zero calls
- The outage lasted 14 hours and affected Triple Zero calls, with 75 per cent of 605 attempts failing
- ACMA alleges Optus breached legal obligations more than 1,000 times, with penalties up to $250,000 per contravention
- ACMA previously took action against Optus following an outage in November 2023, resulting in penalties of more than $12 million
- The 2023 outage was linked to failures in network management, affecting more than 360 customers
- The September 2025 outage was linked to a routine network upgrade with as many as 10 crucial mistakes
- Optus call centre failed to escalate warnings from five callers about failing Triple Zero calls
- ACMA Chair Nerida O'Loughlin stated that access to Triple Zero is a fundamental legal obligation
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- ACMA sues Optus over a 2025 network outage and failed Triple Zero calls (headline only)
- The outage in September 2025 was linked to two deaths
- The penalty could reach as much as $250 million if all 1,000+ contraventions are upheld
- ACMA previously fined Optus more than $12 million for the 2023 outage
- A Senate committee chaired by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young reviewed the September 2025 outage
- Communications Minister Anika Wells welcomed the court action, calling the failures serious
- New laws introduced after the 2023 outage established a Triple Zero Custodian and gave ACMA greater powers
- Optus released a review in December 2025 commissioned by Kerry Schott, finding widespread failures
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The SBS article mentions a 2025 outage without specifying the month, while ABC specifies September 2025
- ABC states the outage lasted 14 hours and was linked to two deaths, but SBS does not mention deaths or duration
Source Articles
ACMA sues Optus over 2025 network outage and failed Triple Zero calls
The legal action comes weeks after a Telstra outage led to similar issues with Triple Zero calls.
Breaking: Optus sued in Federal Court over network outage
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is suing Optus in the Federal Court over last year's network outage in which hundreds of calls failed to reach Triple Zero.