Optus rings up revenue growth as customers flock back

Optus may be starting to put the past behind it and regain the Australian public's trust after 2022's massive cybersecurity breach and a nationwide outage the following year as mobile phone customers flock back to the telco.
The Singapore-owned telecommunication giant on Thursday reported it added 238,000 customers to its mobile base in the year to the end of March.
The surge was led by healthy prepaid growth at mobile virtual network operator amaysim, with the number of Optus postpaid customers also increasing by 52,000.
Revenue over the year hit $8.2 billion — up 1.4 per cent from a year earlier. Operating costs were flat at $6.1b. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose 5.7 per cent to $2.2b and EDIT leapt 55 per cent to $446 million.
Chief executive Stephen Rue — who joined Optus early last year after a decade-long stint at NBN Co, including as CEO — hailed the results but conceded Optus still had work to do to rebuild its tarnished reputation.
'Optus is committed to providing real choice for telecommunications customers as we prioritise exceptional service, competitive offers and a reliable network,'' Mr Rue said.
'Our mobile results, led by the strong performance of amaysim, show customers are responding to our commitment to offering a range of choices that suit their everyday telco and communication needs.'
Sales of high-end mobile devices boosted mobile equipment revenue by 5.2 per cent, as mobile service revenue grew 4.1 per cent, with blended average revenue per user rising 2.4 per cent year-on-year. Overall mobile revenue was up 4.4 per cent.
Home revenue was 3.9 per cent higher, with NBN and fixed wireless access revenue up 3.5 per cent and 9.1 per cent, respectively, mainly due to higher average revenue per user.
Wholesale and enterprise and business fixed revenue fell 5.3 per cent for the second half, reflecting lower project-based satellite revenue and declining fixed revenues.
Up to 10 million Optus customers were affected in September 2022 when hackers breach the telco's data defences.
Just over a year later, a nationwide outage that affected internet, mobile and fixed-line services caused mass disruption across the country and forced the exit of under-fire CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin.

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The Advertiser

42 minutes ago

• The Advertiser

Derailing ransomware - today's great train robbery

It wasn't too long ago that the criminal enterprise of choice would see thieves jump aboard a moving train, navigate the carriages, neutralise the guards, get through locked doors, and ransack the locomotive of its valuable jewels and gold. In 2025, there is a similar motive at play, but the heists have shifted from the Wild West to the World Wide Web. Cyberattacks are today's great train robberies and they're increasingly common. Recent research from Rubrik Zero Labs found 92 per cent of Australian organisations experienced a cyberattack last year, and the attackers are only growing more sophisticated. Ransomware is one of the most common types of cyberattacks, comprising 20 per cent of all attacks, and those behind them do not discriminate. According to the same Rubrik Zero Labs' research, attackers have evolved, with 78 per cent of Australian victims reporting the threat actors were able to at least partially harm backup and recovery options. In more than a third (35 per cent) of cases, the attackers were completely successful. Why are attackers targeting backups? If they can successfully compromise these critical data copies, the victim's ability to recover data under their own steam will be severely impacted. The thinking is, if they can take these down, then the victim will be forced to pay the ransom. And it's working. Rubrik Labs Research also found that of the Australian firms hit with a ransomware attack last year, more than 90 per cent paid the ransom to recover their data. While paying an attacker may allow a business to recover its data or stop a threat, it also supports the cybercrime business model. If a ransomware attack works once, what's going to stop it working again, and again, and again. Paying a ransom just fuels the fire. These payments may have previously gone unreported, however late last month the federal government introduced mandatory ransomware payment reporting requirements. This could change the calculus for local organisations as they seek to avoid the reputational risk of payments going public. Unfortunately, despite best efforts, there is no silver bullet to protect against every single cyberattack. You can't prevent the unpreventable. So the only thing that matters is how quickly you can recover. There are many reasons why the frequency of cyberattacks, like ransomware, are increasing. These include the rising use of AI by cybercriminals, more sophistication of attacks, significant financial incentives, uneasy geopolitical climates, digitisation of organisations, and the shortage of cybersecurity professionals. With this in mind, adopting a preemptive recovery posture - one that recognises a motivated attack will eventually be successful - organisations can take the initiative and recover faster than attackers can adapt. So, it is imperative to be prepared with a recovery plan. To prepare for the worst. To adopt an "assumed breach" mindset. In short, cyber resilience strategies reduce the severity of ransomware threats. Even if an organisation's systems are breached and held to ransom, secure backups ensure the business can quickly assess the scale of the breach, understand the scope of the compromise, and rapidly recover operations - all without paying a ransom. This will lead to a decline in Australian businesses paying out ransoms and perpetuating the cybercrime business model. If the nation is no longer seen as a soft target, if robbers never come away with any loot, they'll shift their attention elsewhere - or better yet, leave the looting life behind. Just like trains in the Wild West, businesses need multiple defences. Even if the thieves make it onto the train, past the guard and get through the locked door, it's not like valuables are out in the open waiting to be taken. They're in safes, requiring different keys and combinations to open. Cyber resilience strategies are an organisation's impenetrable safe - ensuring the crown jewels and critical backups needed to keep the train in motion are out of an attacker's reach. It wasn't too long ago that the criminal enterprise of choice would see thieves jump aboard a moving train, navigate the carriages, neutralise the guards, get through locked doors, and ransack the locomotive of its valuable jewels and gold. In 2025, there is a similar motive at play, but the heists have shifted from the Wild West to the World Wide Web. Cyberattacks are today's great train robberies and they're increasingly common. Recent research from Rubrik Zero Labs found 92 per cent of Australian organisations experienced a cyberattack last year, and the attackers are only growing more sophisticated. Ransomware is one of the most common types of cyberattacks, comprising 20 per cent of all attacks, and those behind them do not discriminate. According to the same Rubrik Zero Labs' research, attackers have evolved, with 78 per cent of Australian victims reporting the threat actors were able to at least partially harm backup and recovery options. In more than a third (35 per cent) of cases, the attackers were completely successful. Why are attackers targeting backups? If they can successfully compromise these critical data copies, the victim's ability to recover data under their own steam will be severely impacted. The thinking is, if they can take these down, then the victim will be forced to pay the ransom. And it's working. Rubrik Labs Research also found that of the Australian firms hit with a ransomware attack last year, more than 90 per cent paid the ransom to recover their data. While paying an attacker may allow a business to recover its data or stop a threat, it also supports the cybercrime business model. If a ransomware attack works once, what's going to stop it working again, and again, and again. Paying a ransom just fuels the fire. These payments may have previously gone unreported, however late last month the federal government introduced mandatory ransomware payment reporting requirements. This could change the calculus for local organisations as they seek to avoid the reputational risk of payments going public. Unfortunately, despite best efforts, there is no silver bullet to protect against every single cyberattack. You can't prevent the unpreventable. So the only thing that matters is how quickly you can recover. There are many reasons why the frequency of cyberattacks, like ransomware, are increasing. These include the rising use of AI by cybercriminals, more sophistication of attacks, significant financial incentives, uneasy geopolitical climates, digitisation of organisations, and the shortage of cybersecurity professionals. With this in mind, adopting a preemptive recovery posture - one that recognises a motivated attack will eventually be successful - organisations can take the initiative and recover faster than attackers can adapt. So, it is imperative to be prepared with a recovery plan. To prepare for the worst. To adopt an "assumed breach" mindset. In short, cyber resilience strategies reduce the severity of ransomware threats. Even if an organisation's systems are breached and held to ransom, secure backups ensure the business can quickly assess the scale of the breach, understand the scope of the compromise, and rapidly recover operations - all without paying a ransom. This will lead to a decline in Australian businesses paying out ransoms and perpetuating the cybercrime business model. If the nation is no longer seen as a soft target, if robbers never come away with any loot, they'll shift their attention elsewhere - or better yet, leave the looting life behind. Just like trains in the Wild West, businesses need multiple defences. Even if the thieves make it onto the train, past the guard and get through the locked door, it's not like valuables are out in the open waiting to be taken. They're in safes, requiring different keys and combinations to open. Cyber resilience strategies are an organisation's impenetrable safe - ensuring the crown jewels and critical backups needed to keep the train in motion are out of an attacker's reach. It wasn't too long ago that the criminal enterprise of choice would see thieves jump aboard a moving train, navigate the carriages, neutralise the guards, get through locked doors, and ransack the locomotive of its valuable jewels and gold. In 2025, there is a similar motive at play, but the heists have shifted from the Wild West to the World Wide Web. Cyberattacks are today's great train robberies and they're increasingly common. Recent research from Rubrik Zero Labs found 92 per cent of Australian organisations experienced a cyberattack last year, and the attackers are only growing more sophisticated. Ransomware is one of the most common types of cyberattacks, comprising 20 per cent of all attacks, and those behind them do not discriminate. According to the same Rubrik Zero Labs' research, attackers have evolved, with 78 per cent of Australian victims reporting the threat actors were able to at least partially harm backup and recovery options. In more than a third (35 per cent) of cases, the attackers were completely successful. Why are attackers targeting backups? If they can successfully compromise these critical data copies, the victim's ability to recover data under their own steam will be severely impacted. The thinking is, if they can take these down, then the victim will be forced to pay the ransom. And it's working. Rubrik Labs Research also found that of the Australian firms hit with a ransomware attack last year, more than 90 per cent paid the ransom to recover their data. While paying an attacker may allow a business to recover its data or stop a threat, it also supports the cybercrime business model. If a ransomware attack works once, what's going to stop it working again, and again, and again. Paying a ransom just fuels the fire. These payments may have previously gone unreported, however late last month the federal government introduced mandatory ransomware payment reporting requirements. This could change the calculus for local organisations as they seek to avoid the reputational risk of payments going public. Unfortunately, despite best efforts, there is no silver bullet to protect against every single cyberattack. You can't prevent the unpreventable. So the only thing that matters is how quickly you can recover. There are many reasons why the frequency of cyberattacks, like ransomware, are increasing. These include the rising use of AI by cybercriminals, more sophistication of attacks, significant financial incentives, uneasy geopolitical climates, digitisation of organisations, and the shortage of cybersecurity professionals. With this in mind, adopting a preemptive recovery posture - one that recognises a motivated attack will eventually be successful - organisations can take the initiative and recover faster than attackers can adapt. So, it is imperative to be prepared with a recovery plan. To prepare for the worst. To adopt an "assumed breach" mindset. In short, cyber resilience strategies reduce the severity of ransomware threats. Even if an organisation's systems are breached and held to ransom, secure backups ensure the business can quickly assess the scale of the breach, understand the scope of the compromise, and rapidly recover operations - all without paying a ransom. This will lead to a decline in Australian businesses paying out ransoms and perpetuating the cybercrime business model. If the nation is no longer seen as a soft target, if robbers never come away with any loot, they'll shift their attention elsewhere - or better yet, leave the looting life behind. Just like trains in the Wild West, businesses need multiple defences. Even if the thieves make it onto the train, past the guard and get through the locked door, it's not like valuables are out in the open waiting to be taken. They're in safes, requiring different keys and combinations to open. Cyber resilience strategies are an organisation's impenetrable safe - ensuring the crown jewels and critical backups needed to keep the train in motion are out of an attacker's reach. It wasn't too long ago that the criminal enterprise of choice would see thieves jump aboard a moving train, navigate the carriages, neutralise the guards, get through locked doors, and ransack the locomotive of its valuable jewels and gold. In 2025, there is a similar motive at play, but the heists have shifted from the Wild West to the World Wide Web. Cyberattacks are today's great train robberies and they're increasingly common. Recent research from Rubrik Zero Labs found 92 per cent of Australian organisations experienced a cyberattack last year, and the attackers are only growing more sophisticated. Ransomware is one of the most common types of cyberattacks, comprising 20 per cent of all attacks, and those behind them do not discriminate. According to the same Rubrik Zero Labs' research, attackers have evolved, with 78 per cent of Australian victims reporting the threat actors were able to at least partially harm backup and recovery options. In more than a third (35 per cent) of cases, the attackers were completely successful. Why are attackers targeting backups? If they can successfully compromise these critical data copies, the victim's ability to recover data under their own steam will be severely impacted. The thinking is, if they can take these down, then the victim will be forced to pay the ransom. And it's working. Rubrik Labs Research also found that of the Australian firms hit with a ransomware attack last year, more than 90 per cent paid the ransom to recover their data. While paying an attacker may allow a business to recover its data or stop a threat, it also supports the cybercrime business model. If a ransomware attack works once, what's going to stop it working again, and again, and again. Paying a ransom just fuels the fire. These payments may have previously gone unreported, however late last month the federal government introduced mandatory ransomware payment reporting requirements. This could change the calculus for local organisations as they seek to avoid the reputational risk of payments going public. Unfortunately, despite best efforts, there is no silver bullet to protect against every single cyberattack. You can't prevent the unpreventable. So the only thing that matters is how quickly you can recover. There are many reasons why the frequency of cyberattacks, like ransomware, are increasing. These include the rising use of AI by cybercriminals, more sophistication of attacks, significant financial incentives, uneasy geopolitical climates, digitisation of organisations, and the shortage of cybersecurity professionals. With this in mind, adopting a preemptive recovery posture - one that recognises a motivated attack will eventually be successful - organisations can take the initiative and recover faster than attackers can adapt. So, it is imperative to be prepared with a recovery plan. To prepare for the worst. To adopt an "assumed breach" mindset. In short, cyber resilience strategies reduce the severity of ransomware threats. Even if an organisation's systems are breached and held to ransom, secure backups ensure the business can quickly assess the scale of the breach, understand the scope of the compromise, and rapidly recover operations - all without paying a ransom. This will lead to a decline in Australian businesses paying out ransoms and perpetuating the cybercrime business model. If the nation is no longer seen as a soft target, if robbers never come away with any loot, they'll shift their attention elsewhere - or better yet, leave the looting life behind. Just like trains in the Wild West, businesses need multiple defences. Even if the thieves make it onto the train, past the guard and get through the locked door, it's not like valuables are out in the open waiting to be taken. They're in safes, requiring different keys and combinations to open. Cyber resilience strategies are an organisation's impenetrable safe - ensuring the crown jewels and critical backups needed to keep the train in motion are out of an attacker's reach.

Courier-Mail

5 hours ago

• Courier-Mail

New research reveals Australian drivers aren't ready to embrace fully autonomous driving

Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring. Followed categories will be added to My News. EXCLUSIVE: As several brands set to launch full self-driving technology on Australian roads, new research reveals many Aussies aren't ready to take their hands off the wheel. According to mycar Mobility Index, a mere 19 per cent of Australians said they would be willing to use a fully autonomous vehicle for most or all of their journey. Additionally, 40 per cent said they don't feel comfortable giving up full control. Many said they don't know enough about the technology or either don't feel safe using it. Sydney-based marketing professional Tara isn't excited about fully autonomous vehicles but nervous. Picture: Supplied When Sydney-based marketing professional Tara first heard about fully autonomous vehicles, she didn't feel excited but nervous. 'Honestly, it makes me feel uneasy,' she said. 'Driving involves so many unpredictable situations – like if someone runs into the street or there's a sudden change in weather. It's hard to imagine sitting back and trusting a car to make those split-second decisions for me.' Despite driving a Honda Civic that has cruise control, lane assist and parking sensors, Tara said she rarely uses the features and has no plans to embrace full autonomy anytime soon. The findings by mycar Mobility Index also reveal that driver trust is lacking and far behind the rapidly evolving technology we're seeing on Australian roads. A Waymo autonomous self-driving Jaguar taxi drives along a street in Los Angeles, California. Picture:Mycar chief customer officer Adele Coswello said the industry is still facing major trust problems and that is holding back adoption. 'Autonomous technology has the potential to change how we move, but right now, trust is the biggest roadblock,' she said. 'This year's Mobility Index shows that many Australians are still unsure – not just about the safety of self-driving cars, but how they work and what they mean for everyday drivers.' Even smart technology in today's vehicles are being under-utilised. Only 1 in 3 are using assisted driving technology like cruise control (32 per cent), lane assist (31 per cent), brake assist (28 per cent) or parking assistance (22 per cent). That's despite more than 76 per cent having this technology in their car. Amazon's self-driving company Zoox testing its autonomous vehicle. Picture: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images Coswello believes the reason many drivers aren't using assisted driving technology is because automakers are failing to explain them. 'Only a small number of Aussies are embracing the smart systems that are available in the vehicles of today, and we believe the industry needs to build understanding and confidence in assisted driving technologies. That includes ensuring technicians are upskilled in the latest technologies and systems to help educate drivers. By doing so, we can help prepare drivers for the future – one service and one conversation at a time,' she said. The lack of technical explanations is something Tara has experienced first-hand. 'I'd also want to see more clear, straightforward explanations from car companies about how the systems work, what their limitations are, and what kind of back up measures are in place. Most importantly, though, I'd want to know I could quickly and easily take back control if something didn't feel right,' she said. Despite more than 76 per cent of respondents having some form of assisted driving technology, only 1 in 3 are using it. Picture: Supplied She also believes brands are failing to strike the right tone in delivery. 'A lot of the messaging feels too technical or overly optimistic. I think companies need to do a better job of breaking things down in plain language and addressing the real concerns people have,' she said. 'This would help to build trust and reassurance that the technology works, and that there are the right safeguards in place.' Internationally, car brands like XPeng, Nio and BYD are racing ahead offering level 3 and 4 autonomous capabilities in their home market. Tesla's Full-Self Driving technology is about to launch in the US next week in their robotaxis. But Australia looks a little more cautious and Australian drive like Tara are happy to keep their hands on the wheel. Originally published as Aussies not ready for advanced technology despite tech take off

Canberra Times

5 hours ago

• Canberra Times

Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50: Most powerful GTI detailed

In a chat with CarExpert at the local launch of the new Mk8.5 Golf range, general manager for product at Volkswagen Australia, Arjun Nidigallu, said the German brand's local arm is actively looking into how the GTI Clubsport could fit into the local lineup, but noted, "There are some technical things with the GTI Clubsport – engine and suspension variations that we need to make sure we have clearances for the Australian market".