Torquay Plunged into Extended Telstra Mobile Blackout
The coastal community of Torquay is grappling with a significant telecommunications disruption, as a planned Telstra mobile tower shutdown has left residents and businesses facing up to 16 days without reliable mobile services. The outage, which commenced recently, has caught the majority of local enterprises completely off guard, raising concerns about operational impacts and communication breakdowns.
Roadworks Trigger Extended Service Interruption
According to official statements, the Department of Transport Victoria has confirmed that the mobile blackout stems from essential roadworks being conducted at the critical intersection of Surf Coast Highway and Bristol Road. In response to these infrastructure upgrades, Telstra was compelled by a third party to deactivate sections of its mobile base station located in Torquay North.
The telecommunications giant issued a social media announcement detailing the necessity of the shutdown, though the communication strategy appears to have fallen short in reaching the broader business community.
Confusion Over Outage Duration and Impact
Conflicting information regarding the exact timeline of the service disruption has added to the confusion. While some Telstra customers received notifications warning of a reduction in coverage between 7am and 5pm over a 16-day period, a company spokesperson later indicated that outages would actually occur over 10 days, with extended hours from 7am to 7pm between February 25-27 and March 2-8.
A Telstra-provided map suggests the affected zone encompasses areas near Horseshoe Bend and Blackgate roads, extending northward towards Armstrong Creek. However, precise details about which specific locations will experience the blackout remain limited, leaving many in the dark about their connectivity status.
Complete Mobile Data Loss for Affected Users
During the interruption period, users within the impacted areas will be completely unable to access 4G and 5G mobile services. With Australia having discontinued all 3G networks in 2024, this means affected customers will have zero access to mobile data connectivity.
Telstra has clarified that landline services, NBN connections, and broadband internet will remain operational throughout the works. Importantly, all emergency calls to Triple Zero will automatically reroute to other available mobile networks to ensure public safety is not compromised.
For basic communication needs, users can still make calls and send text messages by enabling Wi-Fi Calling when connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.
Business Community Largely Unprepared
A recent survey conducted by local media revealed that only two out of fifteen contacted businesses were aware of the planned outages before they commenced. Andrew Demetrius, proprietor of Thelo Gyros and Bar on Bell Street, confirmed receiving a text alert on Tuesday morning but noted his business had not yet been affected as of Wednesday.
Telstra has advised business owners to proactively contact their financial institutions and reconfigure eftpos terminals to connect via NBN or Wi-Fi alternatives to maintain transaction capabilities. A company spokesperson expressed regret for the inconvenience, stating, "We'll ensure the site is turned off for as little time as possible to minimise any disruption to our customers, and we apologise for the inconvenience this causes."
Community Frustration and Broader Implications
The communication breakdown has sparked frustration among residents, with one Facebook user questioning whether Telstra would provide reimbursement for phone plans during the period of reduced coverage. Others expressed confusion about the contradictory dates and times provided in various notifications.
Ironically, the blackout commenced on the same day the Surf Coast Shire Council announced plans to lobby the Federal Government for improved mobile network coverage across the region. This timing highlights the ongoing challenges faced by regional communities in maintaining reliable telecommunications infrastructure during essential development works.
The extended outage underscores the critical dependence of modern businesses on continuous mobile connectivity and raises questions about communication protocols between service providers, government agencies, and the communities they serve during planned infrastructure disruptions.
