1/1/2025 wake up to find my phone displaying "No Service" live in a small rural town, phone plan was only telecommunications I have, now there's one carrier left as Optus have pulled out.
Have removed certain details of what this put me though as the minions on this forum get caught up on incidentals rather than the guts of what the post is attempting to achieve, the question is, "have any other towns had Optus pull out and stop servicing them?"
Have and contacted my local member, made a claim for $ via the ombudsman as not only was this F**cked … but my cheapest alternative so I have enough data is to get Wireless NBN installed for $60 a month and a cheap sim plan which is Aldi's $19 plan, NBN won't be installed till late next month, waiting for the Aldi sim to arrive in the post, in the meantime I'm using a Woolies plan, didn't port as I was still unaware what was going on when I purchased the SIM, which has caused further problems and expense.
Was paying $44 with Optus, gave me more than enough data … Asked at the Telstra shop for their best deal for around 500gig data and was told 300gig data $99 contracted plan or get a commercial unlimited plan that was insanely expensive … FFS!
Optus left me 25 days without the option to call emergency services
Yeah that isn't true. Any phone can call emergency services if there is ANY mobile service, even from a different company.
Others are still without an alternative mobile service as they think it's a fault that will be fixed
Is it a fault? What town is this for others to verify if Optus has really pulled the pin.
and now that I can contact Optus they claim it's my sim and are intending to hold me to the contract … won't admit to the facts
Maybe it is, what's the town to validate service.
Far too logical, its clearly a conspiracy from optus working in cahoots with 5g to take over the town while communications are down!
The part im confused about is the op couldn’t find a hotspot or internet but everyone else must have because
the local forums are a chatter
The only thing i could think that is a possibility is if op was living on 3g - but that was switched off months ago…
optus working in cahoots with 5g
I'm surprised this wasn't tossed in!
The only thing i could think that is a possibility is if op was living on 3g - but that was switched off months ago…
I was thinking maybe the OP had a phone that doesn't work with 4G/5G so was cut off when the 3G network down, but surely they read all the text messages they would have received?
Also thinking the same, no internet, no hot spots, no money for fuel to drive, but kept up to date on the local forums and well, could post here!
If only the OP gave some details, like phone type or location! We could help them.
Other people have NBN, all I have is a mobile phone service … all the things you refer to are explained in the post, obviously, you didn't get it.
you didn't get it.
Perhaps not.
But i do get good phone reception.
What he stated is correct though, 000 has absolutely nothing to do with your carrier. You can call 000 with no sim in the phone.
Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story though - not that there's much point arguing with a brick wall
Network coverage
You can call 000 even if your mobile provider does not have network coverage in the area.
Your call to 000 will be carried on any available mobile network.
You must be in the coverage area of one of the mobile providers in Australia to make emergency calls
Its on the acma website. Maybe its an issue with your device, or a setting?
Anyway, time to move to a telstra affiliate, and speak to the ombudsman, if required.
Turns out all 3 phones I have were able to ring 000 without a sim, but when I insert my Optus (Optus reseller) sim into any of those phones it no longer can connect with 000 … who do I report this issue to?
Unless the phones are ancient, and i see you have access to a pixel pro 7, it is a bit perplexing.
Hopefully that aldi sim arrives soon, and you can set it up, successfully.
I know some phones have more frequency bands than other well known brands, or they rely on the output from the carrier.
So … your wrong
The irony. FFS
BTW I'm still waiting for that ozito link.
Still stalking me little man? are you over 25k posts on Ozbargain yet, trying hard to be the sites biggest tool?
Please provide the ozito link. Cheers
Now provide links where I acted like an ozito fanboi.
You are seriously confusing me with someone else.
@MS Paint: Too hard, have other crap going on, if it wasn't raining I'd be outside being productive and not bother to air my woes (worthwhile airing though!) go away and find another worthwhile thing for your life outside your mommies basement, I've said that to you before and won't bother responding to any more of your stalking BS!
@Series4Episode10: You won't provide links because the information you are claiming doesn't exist.
Get your facts straights before making future wild claims, Peanut.
Sounds like fiction. Putting together a chain of misfortunes, but not true.
Tell us what the town/area is.
The media or someone will investigate.
Then we believe you.
Thank you, i'm on amaysim, so i won't holiday there now. ;)
That's what the guy at the shop chose.
@BewareOfThe Dog: That's what I thought he said, I could check my history to work out who he chose as I immediately searched the company … this has been a stressful shitshow, if my friends weren't so far way I might have resolved this far quicker.
@Series4Episode10: I wonder if Optus shut Optus phones down, but not any 3rd party carriers(even though Amaysim is owned by Optus)
Now if only you had this in your original post instead of complaining that people that people don't believe you.
Hi OP, sounds like a good reminder on why cash is king and its important to carry around some for energencies.
Y'know I normally keep $70 cash as there's always side of the road fruit & vegetable bargains and other cash only things one stumbles upon that would be a shame to miss… had $50 of that left Christmas eve and there was a fruit market on my way from shopping and I spent the lot there and had not been to the PO to replace it by NY day when this shitshow started … life aint perfect bud and I can't predict the future!
For all of those who are saying the OP is telling porkies, if you have a look at the cell map for Mount Garnet on the excellent Aus Phone Towers there is indeed only Telstra towers in that location.
As for not being able to access 000 - OP, are you sure you're not on a handset that was cut off due to the 3G shutdown? Do a bit of searching, there is a tool that will check your IMEI for you and tell you if it is or not. As others have stated in this thread, 000 will go through on any carrier (in this case, Telstra)
As for Optus - as others have said, go straight to TIO.
For all of those who are saying the OP is telling porkies, if you have a look at the cell map for Mount Garnet on the excellent Aus Phone Towers(play.google.com) there is indeed only Telstra towers in that location.
Which Mount Garnet are you looking at? I started trying to piece the puzzle together yesterday, after seeing the OP's post on Whirlpool (https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/30y0mnk9#r20). It's a different username, but I'm assuming that it's the same person. As per my reply there, I figured that the location in question is Mount Garnet, QLD, 4872. Aus Phone Towers and Optus' own coverage map suggests Optus coverage there, but interestingly, Vodafone's coverage map doesn't, even though the frequency assignments listed on the ACMA website seem to suggest that Mount Garnet is covered by the MOCN arrangement between Optus and TPG / Vodafone.
For all of those who are saying the OP is telling porkies.
Nah mate, the OP posted a rant, with zero details like what town they are talking about, or what phone they are using.
Might need some tin foil or a new phone.
If you'd like to read everything previously posted in this thread you'll find the name of the town and a link to a FB post confirming this shitshow mess (profanity)
But I'm nice, I'll drop that info here for you.
Scroll down to the post dated the 19th which sates
https://www.facebook.com/groups/363159452822184/
(copy and pasted)
"Optus customers. Optus will not supply coverage to the Mt Garnet area.Tthey suggested changing provider. We have not had coverage for weeks. We have cancelled ours."
You can tell the OP that posted the info and all the folks responding how wrong we all are FFS!
If you'd like to read everything previously posted in this thread you'll find the name of the town and a link to a FB post confirming this shitshow mess (profanity)
Oh I've read and and found it all before I posted that statement, the point was I shouldn't have had to.
"Optus customers. Optus will not supply coverage to the Mt Garnet area.Tthey suggested changing provider. We have not had coverage for weeks. We have cancelled ours."
Thats not a statement from Optus….. Thats a statement from 'Eddie' one of the locals.
@JimmyF: So you're telling me we are all mistaken?
If you want confirmation from Optus, the same guy "Eddie" the OP left the comment on that thread
"Phone 0291743905 his name is Joshua"
Please… Call Joshua at Optus … then come back and tell me I'm (and the rest of the Optus customers here) are still mistaken?!
Please… Call Joshua at Optus … then come back and tell me I'm (and the rest of the Optus customers here) are still mistaken?!
Optus staff don't give out direct numbers for people to call. So I won't bother wasting my time calling them.
So if Optus has pulled out, what is the issue? Port your number over to someone else.
I had a look at RFNSA for Mt Garnet in QLD and the tower there has Telstra, Optus and nbn. It seems that telstra just completed sme work there because they updated the site folder on 20/01/25 and Optus equipment is still mentioned. I think OP has the wrong end of the stick somehow.
SORRY … You're Wrong!
Tell that to all the other Optus customers here, I'm sure they'll be disappointed they didn't know! and annoyed they went through all the hassle of having no service and switching to Telstra … FFS!
Scroll down to the post dated the 19th which sates
https://www.facebook.com/groups/363159452822184/
(copy and pasted)
"Optus customers. Optus will not supply coverage to the Mt Garnet area.Tthey suggested changing provider. We have not had coverage for weeks. We have cancelled ours."
You can tell the OP that posted the info and all the folks responding how wrong we all are FFS!
Did you post that? It's inconclusive as to if the replies are experiencing the same issue, quite vague.
@dirtybigbjelke: No, that was the first thing I found concerning the outage once I was able to get another sim and activate it, I rang a number that was in a reply on that post and it was confirmed to me that Optus have pulled out.
As for not being able to access 000 - OP, are you sure you're not on a handset that was cut off due to the 3G shutdown?
If he was using one of those handsets, he would of had to receive a warning from optus before its shut down as it was part of the regulations that all people need access to 000 or to be explicitly warned their affected device won’t be able to.
Just swapped the Circles Life sim into 2 different phones that rang 000 successfully with no sim,heard the recorded message "you have contacted emergency services" then hung up, with the Circles Life sim inserted ringing 000 did nothing for some time then just stopped on both phones … something I should take up with someone? but who?
Tried 2 handsets, a fairly new Nokia G22 and a 2yr old Pixel 7 Pro … neither worked when calling emergency services, I tried the sim in a much older phone but didn't attempt 000, might stick that sim it it and see the outcome, I'll check to see of 000 works now on the temp Telstra sim and see if any phone will work on 000 without a sim, this is something I need follow up. (currently on wait with centrelink as I have not been paid due to this (profanity) shitshow! am close to retirement and working seasonal jobs and waiting for the next one to kick in)
i have never had Optus pull support/ coverage for me, always getting upgrade
Wow! lucky you!
OP Mount Garnet shows Optus 4G coverage……
So what phone do you have?
A Chinese one that is no longer supported after the 3g shutoff 😂
Oh I see…… At least the CCP won't be able to track them now!
Nokia G22 and pixel pro 7
All you dipsticks claiming I'm wrong and that Optus have not pulled out of Mount Garnet …you idgits are wrong!! Regardless of what out of date site you post about that has not updated to current facts, the fact is Optus have pulled out.
fact is 000 does not work when I have my Circles life sim inserted into any phone, I just checked on an old Heuwei and my Pixel 7 pro, I can ring 000 when there's no sim in either phone, something I'll follow up on with whoever once I work out who that is.
Call me a liar all you want, this Sh*t happened
Please, ring Joshua at Optus 0291743905 then come back here and continue to spread your unfounded BS beliefs on what has actually happened!
the fact is Optus have pulled out.
I wish some other people pulled out too…. Instead here we are.
So do you have anything official from Optus? A text message even to say they are closing down the tower?
Ah yes, Heuwei
Have you tried 112 for emergency calls?
I was going to suggest that.
Apart from all the other hard to believe "facts"…
had insufficient fuel to drive the 48k's to the closest town
I think this is stretching the truth.
I drive a fuel guzzling 4WD and 50km requires about 6 litres of fuel, less if I'm on the highway. My fuel light and written dash warning comes on with about 15 litres of fuel remaining in the 68l tank. I can keep driving for around for about 50km AFTER the DTE says 0km and even then there is 5 litres left in the tank.
I know how far I can go on what my gauge is showing as I've risked it before and ran out … believe what you want, I know what happened and you're simply white noise in this situation!
White noise! burn!
@Series4Episode10: Dude. You've got some anger issues. If you spoke to me like that face-2-face you be taking all your meals via a straw.
Nobody will help you if you carry on like a spoilt teenager.
And it's not a V8.
/waits for "You're not the boss of me" reply so I can have a good laugh.
Maybe he should take his monorail
Save yourself a lot of time and effort and call the ombudsman and let them handle this.
Sounds messy.