BREAKING NEWS: TELSTRA services have begun returning to the Far North.

A Telstra spokeswoman said crews were currently repairing a damaged cable in Colosseum, allowing for a gradual return of landline, mobile and internet services.

She said customers should notice services coming online as repairs continued, but warned it could take some time before they fully return to normal.

"These things can go up and down so whilst restoration and repair is in progress, it has not been finalised,'' she said.

Telstra landline, internet and mobile services have been down since about 6pm last night.

The telco said work is also being carried out to restore some services via links from Darwin.

But poor weather and rising floodwaters has stopped crews from assessing damage to a second cable near Kingaroy.

“As the weather clears, technicians will attempt to access the area by helicopter or road with the help of local emergency services to begin works,” the company said in a statement.

Telstra landline, internet and mobile services have been down since about 6pm last night.

Severe weather and flooding in central Queensland damaged the fibre-optic cable that carries most of the state’s telecommunication needs.

A back-up cable was also destroyed late yesterday, resulting in the widespread loss of landline and broadband services in Mackay, Freshwater, Cairns, Rockhampton, Townsville, Mount Isa and Gladstone.

Many 2G, 3G and 4G mobile services have also been impacted.

“In most cases, customers will not be able to make landline calls outside their region, but may still be able to dial locally,” the telco said in a statement issued this morning.

“While communications are limited in these areas, Telstra encourages customers with mobile service to use their device in emergency situations only.”

Queensland police have warned that 000 coverage in the Far North is down for Telstra customers.

Where possible, people impacted by the Telstra outage should use mobile phone coverage of an alternative carrier when needing to call Triple Zero.

If you need to contact Triple-Zero and can’t use an alternative carrier you should: 

1. Dial Triple Zero (000);
2. If Triple Zero is unavailable dial the number closest to your locality (see below table

Exchange Locality	Number
Cairns	4030 7000
Mareeba	4030 3340
Townsville	4750 5581 4750 5583
Mt Isa	4744 1111 4744 1808
Mackay	4968 3530
Gladstone	4971 3222
Rockhampton	Triple Zero (000) – via alternative carrier only

 

3.  If you are unable to make contact through either Triple Zero or the alternative numbers you should attend your local police, fire or ambulance station or hospital if safe to travel.

Meanwhile, those concerned about withdrawing cash at present: 

ANZ automated teller machines are up and running, while customers of Abbott St Woolworths can withdraw $50 at a time.  

  

In related news, the 7 network is again working across Cairns. We are still trying to establish the cause.

Get updates from others and add your own experience on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CairnsComAu

 

 

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