Optus has attributed the recent triple-0 outage to copper wire theft by vandals. The telecom giant reported that thieves severed critical fibre cables while attempting to steal copper wiring. This incident caused widespread disruption affecting more than 14,000 customers, chiefly in Melbourne’s south-east region. Optus dealt with a similar outage in earlier months, marking this as the fourth major network failure in recent times.
Image by Optus showing the wire damage
Details of the Outage
The copper theft led to an aerial fibre break, which disrupted mobile voice and data services extensively. Optus technicians responded quickly and restored most services, but some customers continued to experience issues. Despite restoration efforts, the outage impacted the ability of some users to connect to emergency triple-0 calls. Optus warned customers that calling triple-0 might only be possible if they were within the coverage of another mobile network or had access to Wi-Fi calling.
Optus triple-0 outage impacted the ability of some users to connect to emergency triple-0 calls
Impact on Emergency Services
Emergency call services are vital and rely on uninterrupted network connectivity. The outage raised concerns given the dependency on triple-0 for urgent assistance. Optus confirmed welfare checks showed no adverse outcomes for people who attempted emergency calls during the outage. However, the disruption highlighted the broader risks associated with network vandalism on critical services. Officials urged vigilance and reporting of suspicious activity near telecom infrastructure to prevent future incidents.
Optus is reportedly down for thousands of users today. Are you one of them? #OptusDown https://t.co/NstXAIpjHy
— Status Is Down (@statusisdown) November 25, 2025
Recurring Challenges and Responses
Copper theft and vandalism remain persistent issues affecting telecommunications infrastructure across Australia. Thieves target copper wiring due to its value in scrap markets, causing costly damage and service interruptions. Industry experts have highlighted how such criminal acts delay network repairs and affect business operations and community services. Optus alerted emergency services, government agencies, and telecommunications partners immediately following the incident to manage the crisis.
Hi there, thanks for reaching out. We’re sorry about the disruption caused by the regional outage. Our team has identified an aerial fibre break as the cause, and it’s currently under investigation. Technicians are working to restore service as quickly as possible.
Please note…
— Optus Help (@optus_help) November 25, 2025
Previous Optus Outages and Accountability
This outage adds to a series of Optus network failures in the past two years, including incidents that impacted emergency call availability and drew regulatory scrutiny. In 2023, Optus was fined $12 million for failing to provide emergency call services during a nationwide outage. The disruptions also provoked government inquiries and calls for improved network resilience and emergency protocols. Optus executives reaffirmed their commitment to cooperating with investigations and enhancing their systems.
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Broader Implications for Telecom Security
The rise in copper theft poses significant operational risks for telecommunications and power infrastructure. Industry bodies and police collaborate on detection and prevention efforts, emphasising smart surveillance and community reporting channels. Theft not only causes service outages but also creates safety hazards with exposed live wires in public areas. The adoption of advanced security measures aims to safeguard critical networks and maintain public confidence in emergency communications.
The recent triple-0 outage underlines the importance of securing telecom assets and maintaining reliable emergency services for Australians. Optus continues to monitor the situation and work on improving infrastructure protection while urging the public to remain alert to suspicious behaviour around network sites.
