Telstra CEO: Faulty Network Timing System Caused July Mobile Outage
An external review found a network timing system fault caused Telstra's July mobile outage, prompting the company to accept recommendations.
Telstra's chief executive, Vicki Brady, has confirmed that an external investigation into the company's major mobile outage in early July has identified a technical fault in its network timing system as the root cause.
The review, conducted under a Senate inquiry, found that incorrect date information spread through parts of Telstra's mobile network following planned maintenance on the timing system. This aligns with the company's initial explanation for the disruption.
Speaking on Wednesday, Brady acknowledged that the outage should not have occurred and that the findings help clarify why it did. She noted that Telstra had not previously treated network timing as a critical capability.
The report also highlighted deficiencies in the company's operational oversight, pointing to "gaps in ownership, visibility and operational support" for the timing system. These gaps reportedly slowed efforts to identify the problem during the early stages of the outage, even though the recovery itself was managed effectively.
Telstra has stated it accepts the review's findings and will implement its recommendations. The company added that these steps are not expected to impact its full-year 2027 financial outlook.
The incident adds to growing scrutiny of Australia's telecommunications sector, which has faced several high-profile disruptions in recent years, including a lengthy outage at rival Optus that affected emergency calling services.