Telcos to Reveal Outage Histories

Starting June 30, 2026, telecommunications companies in Australia will be mandated to publish detailed registers of their network outages, as per the new regulations set by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). This move aims to enhance transparency and help consumers make informed decisions regarding their telecom services.

The directive requires all telcos to list every major and significant local network outage resolved since March 31, 2026, on their websites. This will include details about the start and end time of outages, the geographical areas affected, the types and number of services impacted, and the main causes of the outages. ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin emphasized that the initiative would enable consumers and stakeholders, such as emergency services and consumer advocacy groups, to access consistent and comparable outage data across networks.

The updated rules are part of broader efforts to improve service reliability and consumer rights within the telecom sector. These changes complement existing requirements for telcos to publish live outage information and to notify affected customers directly. This regulatory enhancement was prompted by a ministerial directive issued in December 2025, aiming to address the critical need for transparency in an era where telecommunication services are increasingly vital.