What is the Australian regulator seeking in penalties from Optus?

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The Australian regulator is seeking penalties of up to A$250,000 per contravention from Optus Mobile.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has initiated Federal Court proceedings against Optus Mobile. These proceedings are related to an emergency-call outage that occurred in September 2025. ACMA alleges that Optus breached its legal obligations on 1,005 separate occasions by failing to provide access to the emergency-call service and ensure calls were correctly routed.
ACMA Alleges Multiple Breaches of Emergency Call Service Obligations

The regulator's case centres on Optus's alleged failure to maintain access to Australia's emergency-call service. ACMA contends that these failures occurred repeatedly, constituting 1,005 distinct contraventions of Optus's legal duties. Such breaches are significant as they directly impact the ability of users to contact emergency services when needed.
Significant Penalties Sought Per Contravention

In light of these alleged breaches, ACMA is seeking substantial financial penalties from Optus Mobile. The regulator is requesting up to A$250,000 for each instance of contravention. This means the total potential penalty could amount to a significant sum, reflecting the seriousness with which regulatory bodies view failures in critical communication services.
Optus Acknowledges Proceedings and Highlights Network Investment

Optus has acknowledged the Federal Court proceedings initiated by the ACMA. In its response, the company stated that it is continuing to invest in enhancing its network's resilience. Furthermore, Optus indicated that it is working to strengthen its systems and operational processes to prevent future occurrences of service failures.

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What is the Australian regulator seeking in penalties from Optus?

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