Optus insiders have claimed last week’s outage was bound to happen because the telco’s systems were not ready for an upgrade.
The company on Monday revealed a ‘routine software upgrade’ had triggered the blackout last Wednesday that saw 10 million users without service for up to 12 hours.
However, some members of staff within Optus have claimed the blackout was ‘avoidable’ because the telco’s systems were not able to handle the upgrade, 7News reported.
The revelation comes as a tech expert revealed how customers could turn their free data into cash – after Optus gifted up to 200GB to Aussies as compensation.
Optus told its disgruntled customers on Monday afternoon it had spent the last six days trying to discover what went wrong and insisted they had ‘taken steps to ensure it will not happen again’.
Optus insiders have claimed last week’s outage was bound to happen because the telco’s systems were not ready for an upgrade, which ultimately triggered the blackout
‘At around 4.05am Wednesday morning, the Optus network received changes to routing information from an international peering network following a routine software upgrade,’ the statement explained.
‘These routing information changes propagated through multiple layers in our network and exceeded preset safety levels on key routers which could not handle these.’
Optus insiders who claimed the outage was bound to happen have reportedly been advised not to speak publicly about the issue.
Griffith University’s Graeme Hughes said Optus was playing a ‘fine line at the moment’ and demanded transparency from the telecommunication giant.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Optus for comment.
Along with an apology, Optus users have been offered up to 200GB of free data to make up for the blackout.
With many unimpressed at the compensation offer, tech expert Trevor Long has shared his tips on how customers can get the free data as well as some extra money in their pockets.
‘Look, I’ve been pretty clear that I think the 200GB data offer to Optus Customers is a joke,’ he said in a column for EFTM.
‘Offering a bunch of data to people who already have a bunch of data and aren’t charged for excess data anyway is just tokenistic and shows a lack of understanding of the consumer sentiment.’
Mr Long advised people to move down to a cheaper plan which would mean they pay less for reduced data because they are still entitled to the 200GB.
He said the average user was on a $69/month plan.
Tech expert Trevor Long has shared his tips on how customers can get the free data as well as some extra money in their pockets
‘But if you were to call Optus today, ask to move down to the $49 plan which offers 30GB of data, they would lose $20 in revenue this month,’ he continued.
‘100,000 people do that they’re down $2million dollars. The more, the merrier.
‘I can hear you now – 30GB is not enough, oh, but alas my dear friends, on Monday (According to Optus) or between then and the end of the year, you will be able to activate a 200GB additional data – thanks to the outage.
‘So from the $69 down to the $49 you’re actually back to square one – same amount of data to use (or a touch more), and $20 extra dollars in your pocket for Christmas!’
Mr Long said for Optus customers who need more data, they can always call up the telco the next month and increase their phone plans.
