Whirlpool

Hi, Is anyone else having issues with their cable in Brisbane? It was working when I started work but it seems to be down now. I have checked the optusnet member status page and it does not list any problems. I have also tried calling Optus on 133937 but the number is engaged.

On my Surfboard modem all the lights are on except the Online light which is flashing. I presume this means that it cannot connect to optus? I'm wondering if the problem is my end or optus end.

Any assistance appreciated.

Yes. Much bigger than just the internet. Mobile and home phone are also affected.

Yep. we've had cable out here for the past half hour or so (Rochedale4 node). The modem keeps trying to connect but can't get on.

So its not a problem at your computer – its definitely at Optus's end.

Anyone else experiencing problems with Optus services?

think it might be the international link

It's not an international link.

Also, because Westnet ADSL2+ is using optus, most Westnet ADSL2+ services in QLD are affected.

OK. Thanks to everyone who has confirmed that the problem is on Optus's side.

Looks like I'd be working on my NextG card today :-)

Cheers

Perhaps someone didn't dial before they dug?

Fibre down too.. total outage

Billing number also engaged, as is our home and mobiles. Internet by Westnet so ok. Thought we'd missed a bill.

kraves

IINet is also affected as are other isps that use Optus for Upstream

Same with mobile networks that use Optus

Safe to say its QLD wide and afftects all that use Optus at this point

someone is having a very bad morning. Gotta pity the IT guys trying to get things up again!

Sounds like Optus didn't pay its bill(s)!

This is a business outage aswell

TOTAL outage it seems

Anyone have any idea how long this outage is going to be?

tommy888 writes...

Anyone have any idea how long this outage is going to be?

Unfortunately not, the NOC is uncontactable :(

What would be the fun of that?

I work for a company with several sites in Brisbane.

All Internet connections are down.

All ISDN phone connections are down.

Hell even my 3G Optus router is down!!!

This just goes to show people, when you are buying redundant connections make sure that you choose a different technology as well as a different provider!

Mark^Bastard writes...

different technology as well as a different provider!

got 2 optus links here in load bal, optus HFC and a optus reseller adsl2 and both are down.. how annoying

NOC is now contactable.
Message says major fibre cut affecting QLD.

We (business WAN) heard 10am as a likely fix time.

The fault is affecting a lot of services including a service sold by Primus to the company I work for. I've just been told that a fix is expected around 9:30am EST.

Grassy Knoll writes...

Message says major fibre cut affecting QLD.

Must be their backhaul from Qld to the other states?

You'd think mobile phone calls from qld to qld should be okay? You'd think Internet services would authenticate at least? Kinda weird.

seems like it.

funny thing is though some Three mobiles aren't working either... so *shrug*... I thought Three roamed to Vodafone? Maybe Vodafone shares that same chunk of fibre?

A single fibre cut can have this result?

Interesting.

Mark^Bastard writes...

I work for a company with several sites in Brisbane.

Same here, I can't imaging the production cost losses

Our remote sites have just come back online.

For about a minute and then down again..

Gou Mongu writes...

A single fibre cut can have this result?

yeah have seen this before...

hate to be the contractor who didn't dial before they dug ;)

Gou Mongu writes...

A single fibre cut can have this result?

My thoughts exactly.

I lost DSL, Home Phone (Both Direct) and all mobile service. Just got DSL back now, mobile still down.

When I called I was told that there was network issues in QLD and it should be fixed by COB.

Yeah, I live in Brisbane (Wooloowin) and it is down. Went down at around 7:50 this morn. Not only that the phones are down too. I'm on optus phone and I'm at work and I can't call home. Or call their 131344 service difficulties from a landline.

wakko writes...

Maybe Vodafone shares that same chunk of fibre?

My vodafone mobile works fine. We used it to call NOC!

wakko writes...

Three roamed to Vodafone?

Three roams on Telstra

its core network hence mobile call routing is not working......or land lines......or internet

its a syd-bris fibre cut....and it looks like both routes have been hit

I heard its a card failure with an ETR of 9.30 (25m)

from what I am hearing, Optus itself isnt real sure of what it is at this point

They are experiencing coastal fibre issues and then fibre engineers are working on it.

No estimated time to get the fix yet.

Is there a service outage listed on a web page somewhere from Optus ? I'm struggling to find anything...

Wobblyman writes...

Is there a service outage listed on a web page somewhere from Optus ? I'm struggling to find anything...

Nope, Nothing. Probably running around with their heads chopped off and forgot :P

Gou Mongu writes...

A single fibre cut can have this result?
yeah – perhaps these guys aren't quite up to the task of a nationwide fibre to the node project ??

its always fun when you walk into work and the entire phone switchboard is lit up with calls :-(

I know how you feel

::Jon:: writes...

perhaps these guys aren't quite up to the task of a nationwide fibre to the node project

Maybe not. Although Telstra seems to have there fair share of outages as well.

My Optus mobile isnt working, the Southport hospitals phones arent working even the main switchboard, and my neighbours Three mobile isnt working.

Grassy Knoll writes...

My vodafone mobile works fine. We used it to call NOC!

Blister writes...

Three roams on Telstra

Weird :)

We have two Three mobile users here in Wacol, and they have a combination of no service, or with service and unable to call anyone.

We used a Telstra mobile to call. :) *sigh* who knows... :)

We've noticed various parts of the Optus network that have been down are starting to come back up now... wouldn't imagine it'll be too long until everything returns to normal.

I always thought that three roamed optus anyway. I could be uninformed but it would also explain the problems :S (on three myself and having the same issues as everyone else)

I don't know what your all talking about. If you look at the optus services page, it says everything is working perfectly! It never lies... does it?

i have been trying to keep an eye on their media release page.
i found it by typing "optus outage" into google and the 5th result was a media release from optus regarding a Service outage they had last year, however on that page there were links to 2008.
clicked on the 2008 link and got nothing, looks like their net went back down as i found the page.

Tony writes...

It never lies... does it?

sorry to break it to ya.... but its all LIES!!
don't trust anyone.. esp optus!! optus is a hack.. useless!

Ummm ... Optus mobile "Network busy"
.... No cable internet .....
.... No home phone (On cable) – dial tone but busy signal to number dialed

AND calls from my "3" phone to my Optus homephone = busy signal

Call from "3" to my Optus mobile= "the service you called is not connected"

Mind you, I still have cable tv ....

EDIT: AND no calls to and from 3 .....

::Jon:: writes...

yeah – perhaps these guys aren't quite up to the task of a nationwide fibre to the node project ??

Jon from Telstra, get back to work.

Hi everyone, I have closed some other threads and pointed to this one, the best info listed so far is from this post:

KLA writes...

The main fibre already has issues....

Expected Duration:
Up to 4.5 Hours during outage window

Start Date & Time:
24/07/2008 00:01:00 AEST

Finish Date & Time:
24/07/2008 08:00:00 AEST

Work Description:
Due to a large amount of damage to fibre circuits connected to the Optus
Rochedale point of presence, an extended outage is required to splice in all
new fibre cable in replacement of existing cable that is beyond the state of
repair. As there are a lot of circuits/fibres to be restored in this work,
dual splicing (2 x Fibre Technicians splicing at the same time) will be
performed to achieve quicker restoration of circuits.

It's because of World Youth Day... The pilgrams have clogged up the network... Qantas have stopped flights from QLD and they were looking for another way down to Sydney...

That lists the date as 24th of July

Today is the 15th????

Gou Mongu writes...

Jon from Telstra, get back to work.

LOL – never been accused of working for Telstra before.
Sorry – guess again, just an uninformed armchair observer.

::Jon:: writes...

yeah – perhaps these guys aren't quite up to the task of a nationwide fibre to the node project ??
Best post ever.

Seriously though, this is the second major Optus mobile outage in Queensland this year that I recall. It's absolutely unacceptable to (clearly) have such minimal redundancy that the entire state can be brought to a standstill.

At least Telstra services are working. Perhaps their extortionately high prices are worth it, given their competitors are crippled statewide with a (at this stage, single) fibre cut?

Mark ...... writes...

Hi everyone, I have closed some other threads and pointed to this one, the best info listed so far is from this post:

KLA writes...

Expected Duration:

Start Date & Time:
24/07/2008 00:01:00 AEST

That seems to be for scheduled maintenance more than a week in the future.

Mark ...... writes...

I have closed some other threads and pointed to this one, the best info listed so far is from this post:

Why is this in OptusNet, when it clearly effects more than just Optus (iiNet internet, Three, Virgin, Optus mobiles), and anyone using Optus wholesale services?

It should not be in an Optus retail category. Perhaps Telecommunications might be a better section? Better yet, what about the front page news ?

Mark ...... writes...

Expected Duration:

Start Date & Time:
24/07/2008 00:01:00 AEST

Finish Date & Time:
24/07/2008 08:00:00 AEST

A little odd as today's date is the 15/7/2008...

Well OPTUS seems to be on the ball !!

DICK

Mark ...... writes...

Hi everyone, I have closed some other threads and pointed to this one, the best info listed so far is from this post:

Did you see the start and finish dates?

Finish Date & Time:
24/07/2008 08:00:00 AEST

jcs86 writes...

That lists the date as 24th of July

Today is the 15th????

thats because they planned to fix it next week. but it seemed to break down earlier than they expected

3mobile network down threads are now redirecting to this one.

can anyone explain to me why 3mobile has gone down because of this optusnet issue? does 3 use optus infrastructure? i had previously thought they had and used their own (or roamed onto telstra when unavailable).

Mark ...... writes...

Hi everyone, I have closed some other threads and pointed to this one, the best info listed so far is from this post:

Thanks for trying. The info posted by KLA was for scheduled maintenance in 10 days time to a local POP (Rochedale). It has nothing to do with the current QLD-wide outage.

Im pretty sure Telstra would be rubbing their hands 2gther gleefully at this point in time, probably along with the odd evil "MUAHH" being muttered.

Does anybody have a comprehensive list of what is affected and where?

Seeing as Optus won't want to tell anybody – it would probably be good to start compiling one so we can work out what is going on.

From what we can see – Mobile Services, Internet Services and still some land line services are affected.

Our VoIP wholesaler was offline (they route through Optus) but they are now back.

I suspect they use OPTUS infrastructure to route "3" traffic – roaming seems to be working fine...

I may be wrong...

DICK

cabbaguy writes...

Im pretty sure Telstra would be rubbing their hands 2gther gleefully at this point in time, probably along with the odd evil "MUAHH" being muttered.Im pretty sure Telstra would be rubbing their hands 2gther gleefully at this point in time, probably along with the odd evil "MUAHH" being muttered.

So Telstra is behind this outage???

Why were the other threads closed without putting a link to this or stating any reason at all?

Anyway.. if you call Mobile Tech Support (1300 300 937) you get told that the ETA is 1-2 days.

"With these major situations, they never take more then one to two days" was his "official" response.

Fast Ethernet writes...

Perhaps Telecommunications might be a better section? Better yet, what about the front page news ?

i agree..
this is effecting our entire building, website/everything.
costing us a crap load of money.
where's our info?

Mooharhar writes...

Why were the other threads closed without putting a link to this or stating any reason at all?

There was a link posted, just look @ the top of the closed threads....................................................................

/forum-replies.cfm?t=1013997

watchdogg writes...

So Telstra is behind this outage???

HAHA

Telstra excavator operator... opppppsss was that an OPTUS cable I just dug up....

Telstra supervisor – just fill the hole in and lets get out of here !!

But seriously, I have a client that has no ISDN, no 1800, running Asterisk IPPABX, and the funny thing is all outgoing calls via VOIP are all good as their provider uses AGILE – its funny I think that what telcos suggest as an unreliable technology continues to shine when traditional systems crap out...

Gotta laugh !!

DICK

Fast Ethernet writes...

Why is this in OptusNet, when it clearly effects more than just Optus (iiNet internet, Three, Virgin, Optus mobiles), and anyone using Optus wholesale services?
Ok, lets have a different thread in every provider who uses Optus as a wholesaler? That way we have have 15 different sets of information with 15 threads full of users who don't visit other forums asking the same question over and over again.

It's a major outage from OPTUS infrastructure – one single source of information/discussion is better than 15.

bte writes...

Thanks for trying. The info posted by KLA was for scheduled maintenance in 10 days time to a local POP (Rochedale). It has nothing to do with the current QLD-wide outage.
Ok fair call :)

If anyone can post the real outage issue/details here, that would be great.

Mark ...... writes...

Ok, lets have a different thread in every provider who uses Optus as a wholesaler? That way we have have 15 different sets of information with 15 threads full of users who don't visit other forums asking the same question over and over again.

I suggested Telecommunications. That's a general category that would work for everyone.

Fast Ethernet writes...

At least Telstra services are working.

FYI it wasn't that long ago that Telstra was in the same boat. On more than one occasion 'North' QLD was cut off after someone dug up a cable.

Thanks to Lechat:

lechat writes...

Interesting update :
A. Confirmation from Optus, the fault is @ their P.O.P in Stanthorpe QLD (163km West of Kyogle N.S.W) – Google Map it if you need.

B. 0930 restoration has been removed.
C. Helicopter is being use to transport the card to Stanthorpe once it arrives @ Moorooka via courier.

D. Optus have advised that there has been issues on both the inland and costal transmission paths.

i. Inland – faulty high order transmission card failure
ii. Costal – fibre cut. ( Interestingly the cut happend moments after the inland transmission failure! )

E. As for validity of my sources. I work at a telco, with direct numbers to the OPTUS NOC.

the thread that had some decent info has been closed yet a thread thats got BS is still open lol

Title: Outage Optus QLD Voice & Data – Current

Start Time: 15/07/2008 7.30 am

Finish Time: No ETR is available at present

Current Status: Current

Level: Critical

Service Affected: All Optus Voice and Data Services in parts of Northern NSW & All of QLD.

Description: There appears to be a damaged fibre link between NSW and QLD. It would be apparently affecting Northern NSW and All of QLD. We will provide further updates when they become available.

From the optus cable page:

Message posted at: 2008-07-15 09:53
Location: Queensland
What:
When:
Duration:
Impact: Some customer's may be experiencing technical difficulties using some Optus Products. Our engineers are aware of the problem and are endeavouring to resolve it as quickly as possible.
Additional Info:

HAHAHAHAHAH

Coincidence ????. I am in northern NSW, and an optus customer formally with Telstra, and just got a call from Telstra rep asking am I happy with my current carrier lol.

Mark ...... writes...

i. Inland – faulty high order transmission card failure

ii. Costal – fibre cut. ( Interestingly the cut happend moments after the inland transmission failure! )

what are the odds of both links going down at once ?

I dont think i can remember the last time we lost bris-syd coastal and inland at the same time

anyways....time to get outside and get some sun i think

cabbaguy writes...

just got a call from Telstra rep asking am I happy with my current carrier lol.

I don't know about you, but you should buy that guy a beer. He has an awesome sense of humour.

Gee... Optus really suck....Things happen but not to such extend...

LOL. They finally posted this on the status page. Fast response. 2h later

Cable Network
Message posted at: 2008-07-15 09:53
Location: Queensland
What:
When:
Duration:
Impact: Some customer's may be experiencing technical difficulties using some Optus Products. Our engineers are aware of the problem and are endeavouring to resolve it as quickly as possible.
Additional Info:

Our Optus rep visited our office a few minutes ago saying basically what was said earlier.

She said that the Stanthorpe card failed last night some time and the coastal line was cut this morning. Stanthorpe is apparently their backup plan and they have borrowed a Helicopter from Seaworld to pickup a replacement Card.

She thinks it will be back online around lunch time.

OptiM writes...

what are the odds of both links going down at once ?

New Zealand has a situation in 2005 (IIRC) where both backbones between Auckland and the southern North Island and South Island went down. But that is NZ for you :P

Fast Ethernet writes...

I don't know about you, but you should buy that guy a beer. He has an awesome sense of humour.

I offered him a beer, but only on the proviso that he only drink a certain brand of beer, at only 1 pub for a period of 2 years and limit himself to a small amount of beer per day :P~

Fast Ethernet writes...

I don't know about you, but you should buy that guy a beer. He has an awesome sense of humour.

Now would be a good time for Telstra to do an advertising blitz. If they can get through.

I have to say, shame on Optus. Pretty poor network planning if this kills off so many of their services.

OptiM writes...

what are the odds of both links going down at once ?

Extremely small!!!

More like the inland route has been running sub-par and when the fibre was cut, it overheated with the load and shutdown.

And it seems that optus believes that a new card will be quicker of the 2 repairs.

I believe that we will not see full speed services until the coastal fibre is fixed

Mark ...... writes...

E. As for validity of my sources. I work at a telco, with direct numbers to the OPTUS NOC.

I take it Optus DON'T use their own network for landlines ?....

hahaha ....erm .... Damn, why do I have landline, internet AND mobile with Optus...

stock99 writes...

Gee... Optus really suck....Things happen but not to such extend...

A cable cut is not really their fault though..

OptiM writes...

what are the odds of both links going down at once ?

That one's easy.

Coast fibre gets cut, all traffic starts going through backup router/card in Stanthorpe.

It sucks down more power than its used to because it has to work harder, probably heating up all of the dust that has been gathering on it, and it goes bye-bye.

Only one possible scenario though.

I've had the joy to have toured both of OPtus's Brisbane exchanges, and not only can one exchange fail over to the other one to carry complete mobile/Internet load, they have their datacenters split in two so that if one half of a single datacenter fails, the other side which is a mirror image carries the load live.

They have certainly planned for failures in the equipment side of things, and have 2 paths joining Bris/Syd, so bad luck Optus, we hope you get it sorted out shortly.

-S

Kaorimoch writes...

shame on Optus. Pretty poor network planning if this kills off so many of their services.
+1. Not only that, but it's not the first major Optus outage in Qld this year. If I could Google, I'd link to the previous one that made the news....

It's all well and good having a cheap mobile/internet plan, but if it doesn't work, and you're losing dollars from the outage, then it will end up costing you far more than a service that actually works.

What i would like to know is why is it affecting landlines, mobiles and internet but not cable tv (Optus)....

"Cards" makes it sound internet related ....

Because everything relies on IP networks these days.

Below is an email I received from IntraPower. It has some specific details about the outage.

----------------------------------------------------

Dear Valued Customer,

There is currently a Major Optus outage that may be affecting your service.

Affected Services:
-Data traffic between Sydney and Brisbane.
-Ability to make calls (landline, mobile) between Brisbane and Sydney.

Estimated Time of Repair: 13:00 Hrs

Type of Outage: State Wide Outage.

Cause:
-Inland fibre path – repeater failure occurred last night – near Stanthorpe. Equipment dispatched to Brisbane and onsite this morning.
-Fibre path failure on coastal path – failed this morning between Brunswick Heads and Gold Coast. Suspect digging activity.

Ticket Reference: 56999

Please do not hesitate to contact the Intrapower helpdesk on 1300 136 741 if you would like further information.

Kind regards,

Customer Support
IntraPower Limited

This should be on the Whirlpool front page news, rather than the usual Telstra-bashing ACCC rubbish.

There's enough information here to at least link people to.

Optus are going ot have a few issues even once this gets resolved.

They not onlyhave their business customers, but also the business customers of every carrier that wholesales their network services.

Optus being a viable option for FTTN, I think not....

watchdogg writes...

but not cable tv (Optus)....

They simply transmitt the foxtel feed.

I can connect my Foxtel to either the telstra cable or optus cable and it works perfectly (incl control signals)

I just hope they're not suffering from something related to this: http://www.netaware.com.au/viewarticles.aspx?id=541

ChuckyS writes...

I just hope they're not suffering from something related to this

Totally unrelated. Next.

OKAY why havent I seen any conspiracy theorist posting yet... I mean the Pope is in Australian, and suddenly the one of the largest telco's is having major issues...involving what could be sabotage!!... Hmmm....I wonder...

Isnt removing lines of communication a preparation for invasion...the martians are coming!!!

*jkes*

BenC writes...

OKAY why havent I seen any conspiracy theorist posting yet... I mean the Pope is in Australian, and suddenly the one of the largest telco's is having major issues...involving what could be sabotage!!... Hmmm....I wonder...

You mean maybe optus are sinners, and being punished?

Dave.Finster writes...

Optus being a viable option for FTTN, I think not....

I wonder if this happened to Telstra would these comments be

Telstra being a viable option for FTTN...

As said above fibre cuts are not a fault, but normally are related to events that one can't control.

GambitNoir writes...

She said that the Stanthorpe card failed last night some time and the coastal line was cut this morning.

Funny that.. Our account manager said the cable was cut early this morning then the backup system (stanthorpe) failed due to an overload.. The helicopter part is right though.. Chinese whispers..

BenC writes...

the martians are coming!!!

Actually I think you'll find it's the anti-Ferguson PETA anti-shower activists that are punishing you for eating KFC and raping the planet and not having an animal in a position of power. The pope was just a clever ruse....;)

TwistedGecko writes...

You mean maybe optus are sinners, and being punished?BenC writes...OKAY why havent I seen any conspiracy theorist posting yet... I mean the Pope is in Australian, and suddenly the one of the largest telco's is having major issues...involving what could be sabotage!!... Hmmm....I wonder...

You mean maybe optus are sinners, and being punished?

To err is human, and to forgive is divine, but leave ppl without phone or internet and watch out for the hangmans noose.

Shortcut writes...

That one's easy.

Coast fibre gets cut, all traffic starts going through backup router/card in Stanthorpe.

well interestingly enough, the card at Stanthorpe failed last night and then the coast got his this morning. So it was kinda the other way around

And you know this, how?

what are people refering to as "the card" what does that mean?

Phonefail.

Thanks to the guy mowing his lawns in Roachdale!

ChuckyS writes...

And you know this, how?

cause my fibre techs that work for Optus are onsite now?

I'm seeing occasional connects to web sites and traffic flows on Optus ADSLs in Mackay QLD, but then it dies again.

Whisp writes...

what are people refering to as "the card" what does that mean?

Think of it as the equivalent of a network card, except thousands of times more expensive.
Connects the line (fibre in this case) into some core switching equipment.

Sam (AUSSIEWIDE) writes...

As said above fibre cuts are not a fault, but normally are related to events that one can't control.

So no one at the carrier is to blame for one fibre cut knocking out most of a state?

YouGoose writes...

Actually I think you'll find it's the anti-Ferguson PETA anti-shower activists that are punishing you for eating KFC and raping the planet and not having an animal in a position of power. The pope was just a clever ruse....;)

Optus is run by Monkeys...and other small critters ....PETA should be proud....

on a side note....praying is probably the only method of communication some optus customers have right now...the pope is moving up the list of saboteurs

Hubby and I are on Virgin Mobile in Coffs Harbour and it seems to be down as well. How far does the outage extend? Hard to keep track of where to post all threads seem to be closed in the mobile's forum....

Anyone else down south- either that or we paid the bills too late lol.

Whisp writes...

what are people refering to as "the card" what does that mean?

Like you have PCI cards in your computer. Telco gear has cards in them that they plug the cables into. You didn't think they just spliced the fiber directly onto the mainboard did you ?

http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23107819-15306,00.html

bte writes...

Like you have PCI cards in your computer. Telco gear has cards in them that they plug the cables into. You didn't think they just spliced the fiber directly onto the mainboard did you ?

They look a bit like this http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/modules/ps2710/products_data_sheet09186a00800920aa.html and some of them cost as much as a modest house :)

cabbaguy writes...

http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23107819-15306,00.html

Would you be kind enough to post a quote of that story here? Us QLDers can't access the wider net :-P

cabbaguy writes...

http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23107819-15306,00.html

You should probably have pointed out the date on that article – January 25, 2008

cabbaguy writes...

http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23107819-15306,00.html

Um hello.. this is dated January 2008????

Douh... Missed it by this much!!

cabbaguy writes...

http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23107819-15306,00.html

Umm – you did notice the date on that story, right?

January 25th?

Edit: Okay, we all jumped onto that one at the same time. :)

Errr.that was like minor compared to this baby....this is
All optus ADSL(plus any other resellers), A lot of optus mobiles...I have 5 services all are down
Some optus residential phones

Edit: okay I mean in Northern NSW and QLD

So no one at the carrier is to blame for one fibre cut knocking out most of a state?

No.

Optus provide more than adequate redundancy for their Brisbane <-> Sydney leg via two diverse fibre paths.

The inland path was already in a bad state so as per normal operations, any traffic on that leg was diverted to the coastal route. Some numpty has now probably put a backhoe through tha