The federal government has launched an investigation into a major overnight Telstra outage that left thousands of mobile customers unable to make calls or access data, dismissing speculation of foreign interference. Communications Minister Anika Wells confirmed services have largely returned to normal, with only a small number of devices still experiencing issues.
Outage Details and Cause
Telstra, which powers approximately 25 million mobile services across Australia, attributed the disruption to a problem with a time-keeping server. The outage sparked widespread concern, but Wells stated at a Canberra press conference that there is no evidence of external interference.
The investigation aims to determine the root cause and prevent future occurrences. Wells emphasized that the government is taking the incident seriously and will hold Telstra accountable.
Impact on Customers and Response
The outage affected mobile voice calls and data services, disrupting communication for individuals and businesses. Telstra has not yet provided a timeline for full restoration but is working to resolve remaining issues.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of critical telecommunications infrastructure. The government has urged Telstra to improve system resilience.
Other News Highlights
In other news, Argentina secured a World Cup quarter-final spot with a 3-2 win over Egypt, staging a comeback with three goals in the last 20 minutes. Switzerland also advanced after a penalty shootout victory over Colombia, marking their first quarter-final appearance since 1954.
Meanwhile, scientists have called for better land management as record wildfires burn in Europe, with 28,000 hectares burned in France and 50,000 in Spain as of July 1, more than double the average.
In San Francisco, an AI boom has driven home prices skyrocketing, with over 140 homes selling for at least $1 million above asking price in the first half of 2026, according to Compass chief economist Mike Simonsen.
Experts warn against relying on AI for skincare advice, noting that chatbots often provide inaccurate recommendations due to the complexity of dermatological conditions.
