If you’re having trouble making calls or accessing the internet using your fixed-line Telstra connection in western Sydney, here’s the reason: an exchange fire overnight in Parklea has knocked some home, business and mobile phone services offline — and full repairs could take a couple of days.
The fire in the Parklea exchange, which happened overnight, has knocked commercial and residential properties off the phone and internet grid throughout suburbs like Bella Vista, Kellyville and Parklea.
Home broadband, business broadband and fixed-line phone services have been affected, and the exchange’s backhaul also serviced Telstra’s mobile phone coverage in the area. Firies have been through and declared the site safe so Telstra can begin repair works, but it’ll be some time before service is restored to normal — current forecasts to customers in the area are around 16 May.
Telstra is deploying two Mobile Exchange on Wheels (MEOWs) to the area to bolster mobile reception while the exchange is fixed. They’ll be in operation from Wednesday morning, and Telstra will have more info on the Parklea exchange then as well.
Until then, you can find out as much info as possible from Telstra’s Service Status page. [Whirlpool / Telstra]