ACMA to probe Optus as pressure mounts over stadium naming rights

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has opened a fresh investigation into Optus after its latest outage left emergency calls unable to connect, contributing to the deaths of at least three people.

The 18 September failure prevented customers from reaching Triple Zero, breaching one of the telco’s most basic obligations. Under Australian law, carriers must guarantee Triple Zero access at all times, notify Telstra and key agencies of significant outages, conduct welfare checks on failed calls, and provide timely public updates.

“These are the most fundamental responsibilities every telco provider has,” ACMA said, warning that failed emergency calls pose “devastating” risks to public safety. Optus was fined $12 million in 2023 for similar breaches.

Optus CEO Stephen Rue apologised on Sunday, acknowledging the loss of the lives to people who could not reach emergency services.

“Early investigations show that it appears that established processes were not followed,” he said, adding: “I would like to apologise to everyone impacted.”

The fallout has intensified political pressure in Western Australia, where opposition Leader Basil Zempilas renewed calls to strip Optus’ name from Perth’s landmark stadium. The telco signed a 10-year, $50 million naming rights deal in 2017, with two years still to run.

“Optus have admitted their failings. These are repeated failings now … and they don’t deserve to have their name on our stadium,” Zempilas told 6PR radio.

The stadium, however, remains central to the state’s sporting calendar. On 15 Sept before the latest outage unfolded, Optus Stadium confirmed it would host the return of AFL Origin in February 2026 - the first interstate clash since 1999, and the first time WA and Victoria will meet since 1992.