Torquay Faces 16-Day Telstra Blackout – Mobile Chaos Hits Locals
Residents and businesses in Torquay are grappling with a major mobile disruption as Telstra shuts down its Torquay North tower for up to 16 days. The outage, prompted by roadworks at the Surf Coast Highway and Bristol Road intersection, has left many users confused and frustrated, as conflicting messages from Telstra made it unclear exactly when and where services would be affected.
Some customers received texts warning of a reduction in coverage from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting February 25, while Telstra’s online information suggested outages would extend from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. over a patchwork of dates through early March. Telstra later clarified that the full site shutdown would only last until February 27, but intermittent service interruptions could continue for several days afterwards.
During this period, mobile users in affected areas will lose access to 4G and 5G services entirely, with no fallback to 3G, which was retired across Australia in 2024. Calls, texts and mobile internet will only be possible through Wi-Fi calling. Landline and NBN services remain unaffected and calls to emergency services will automatically reroute to other available networks. Businesses have been advised to connect EFTPOS devices to Wi-Fi to prevent payment delays.
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Local response has highlighted a communication gap. When contacted, only two out of fifteen businesses in Torquay were aware of the planned disruptions. Customers have expressed frustration over inconsistent messages, with some questioning whether reduced coverage might warrant compensation.
The outage underscores a broader issue for the region. Surf Coast Shire Council has announced plans to lobby the federal government for stronger mobile coverage, particularly in bushfire-prone areas. Council officials stress that during emergencies, mobile connectivity is not just a convenience but a critical safety measure. Current infrastructure struggles to handle peak demand, especially when large numbers of visitors arrive along the coast.
Telstra confirmed that the shutdown is necessary for worker safety, as it is not safe for technicians to operate on the tower while it is live, especially during daylight hours. The provider has apologized for the inconvenience and promised to minimize the disruption.
For Torquay residents and businesses, this blackout serves as a reminder of how fragile mobile networks can be when infrastructure and construction intersect. The coming days will test local adaptability and reliance on alternative communication methods, highlighting the need for more robust coverage in regional Australia.
Stay with us for continuous updates on the Torquay outage and watch closely as authorities and service providers navigate this temporary but impactful disruption.
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