Wed Sep 24 10:40:41 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Optus Outage Linked to Deaths, Telecom Giant Apologizes Amidst Mounting Scrutiny**
Singapore-based telecom giant Singtel, owner of Optus, has issued an apology after a recent Optus network outage in Australia led to the failure of hundreds of emergency calls, tragically linked to the deaths of three people. The outage, which occurred last week, prevented Australians from reaching the Triple Zero (000) emergency line.
Singtel CEO Yuen Kuan Moon expressed deep remorse, stating, “Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who have passed away.” He committed to a thorough investigation to prevent future incidents.
Adding to the company’s woes, Optus was separately fined $66 million for “unconscionable” sales practices between 2019 and 2023. The Australian Federal Court found Optus had pressured vulnerable customers, including Indigenous people in remote areas, into purchasing unnecessary or unaffordable products, sometimes in areas without network coverage. The court criticized Optus for misleading customers, failing to explain contract terms, and pursuing debt collection related to these inappropriate sales.
This incident follows a pattern of regulatory penalties for Optus, including a $9 million fine in 2024 for a previous outage affecting emergency calls and a lawsuit filed by Australia’s privacy watchdog over data protection failures in the lead-up to a 2022 cyberattack impacting 9.5 million customers. Kerry Schott, a prominent Australian executive, will lead an independent review into the most recent outage. Singtel maintains its commitment to investing in Optus’s infrastructure, having already invested over A$9.3 billion in the past five years.
First Piper 