Telstra customers affected by fires in Tasmania - update

Telstra has continued to maintain the impact of the Tasman Peninsula fires on our services.

Telecommunication infrastructure in the area remains largely intact with the main issue being power outages; however a number of generators are in place to help restore these services. Telstra staff are working with the relevant authorities to gain access to these sites and are attempting to reconnect affected services.

In some areas the fire was so intense it has damaged our cables connecting exchanges to homes and businesses. We will be assessing the damage as soon as access is available and additional cable crews are on standby to make repairs.

The current impact is affecting approximately 600 landline services and a number of mobile phone base stations in the area are without power, however these are expected to be restored today.

Affected Telstra customers can register for an assistance package by calling 132203. If eligible, this will provide them with free diversions of landline phones to a mobile phone and for calls made on that mobile to be charged at landline rates for a period of time. Telstra will attempt to hold all bills for affected customers until a more appropriate time.

Telstra has also arranged for a portable communication centre to be established at the Sorell Evacuation Centre which can provide some free phone and internet services and a location to charge mobile phone batteries.

Temporary replacement mobile phones and chargers are en route to stores today and customers can use Telstra stores to recharge mobile phone batteries.