Tropical Cyclone Alfred cuts off 250,000 in Queensland, NSW

Tropical Cyclone Alfred has left over 250,000 households in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales without internet and phone services. Most outages were caused by power failures, affecting mobile sites and communication. Advocates are calling for a more resilient telecommunications network to prevent isolation during disasters. A national messaging system using cell-broadcast technology is being developed but won't be ready until 2027. The federal government plans to extend mobile service obligations, requiring companies to use low-orbit satellites for voice and SMS in dead zones. Consumers are advised to contact their providers if services do not resume after power restoration.