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Telstra posted an unexpected 11.8 per cent fall in first-half profit. Picture: AAP
TELSTRA has been hit by another network outage, leaving some corporate customers in NSW without phone and internet services for a few hours.
Tuesday’s outage was caused by a faulty piece of hardware, and lasted for two to three hours, a Telstra spokesman said.
“All services have now been restored. We apologise to customers for the inconvenience and thank them for their patience,” he said.
The company has not said how many customers were affected by what is the second outage this year. It did not affect consumer fixed line or mobile services. Earlier this month, customers across the country were hit by an outage caused by a fire at northern Sydney exchange.
Telstra was affected by seven outages in 2016, which subsequently saw Australia’s biggest telco commit more than $3 billion on improving its network.
It also comes as Telstra has culled more than 1000 jobs in six months as it comes under mounting pressure to cut costs.
Telstra customers were hit by another outage in NSW. Picture: AAPSource:AAP
KATTER WANTS BETTER PHONES IN THE BUSH
Queensland MP Robbie Katter has warned lives are at risk in his outback electorate because of ongoing phone outages.
The Mount Isa state member said he’s met with emergency services management and the office of the Emergency Services Minister to highlight the “unacceptable” situation.
Mr Katter said a recent outage left people in the Gulf of Carpentaria without access to landline phones for over nine days, potentially cutting some residents off from emergency services.
“Telecommunication breakdowns are too frequent in the bush and it is getting out of hand,” Mr Katter said.
“If someone has an accident and the phone lines are down they may not be able to get help and this situation is unacceptable.” Mr Katter said a priority system offered by Telstra wasn’t a long-term solution for people in his electorate.
“I know there is a free registry for use by individuals who are diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions and may be at risk without access to fully operational phones,” he said.
“While I don’t believe this registry to be a silver bullet, I believe it will highlight the obvious need for consistent and quick action to ensure our phone lines are available or accessible alternatives are provided.”
Independent Member for Kennedy Bob Katter wants better phone service in the outback. Picture: AAPSource:AAP
TELSTRA SHARES SUFFER A DROP
A big drop in Telstra shares last week caused by the telco’s fall in half year profit has weighed on the share market on another busy day of company earnings reports. The Australian dollar is close to its highest level against the US greenback in three months, boosted by higher commodity prices and an improving risk sentiment among global investors.
CMC Markets chief market analyst Ric Spooner said the share market got off to a good start but the run didn’t last, with the main indices closing marginally higher.
“The market has been dragged down a bit by Telstra, and also I think we’ve encountered a bit of profit taking in response to the higher prices in the last couple of days,” Mr Spooner said.
“It’s a disappointing result given the strong start that we got off to.” Telstra plunged 6.6 per cent to $4.85 after the telco’s half year profit fell 14 per cent to $1.8 billion and the company lowered its full year earnings guidance.