UPDATE: Customers are reporting some services are coming back online. Read more here.
EARLIER: A widespread Optus outage has caused commuter chaos, with Uber prices temporarily surging across Australia before a cap was put in place.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Optus customers have no service.
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The telecommunications blackout is affecting millions of people across the country, causing major delays for commuters and impacting health services.
According to Downdetector, reports of the outage started about 4am on Wednesday.
Issues with the Optus network have been reported across the country in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide.
Uber prices nationwide have been affected, with one trip from Werribee to Melbourne’s CBD costing almost triple what Uber normally estimates it should be to the city.
Uber prices surge when more rides are requested than drivers available. This is designed to attract more drivers to the area — however the outage means many regular drivers are unable to access the Uber app to accept fares.
“We are experiencing impacts to Uber’s service following the Optus outage,” Uber confirmed.
“We are proactively encouraging driver partners who are able to go online to help keep Australia moving where possible.”
A cap was placed on surge pricing as soon as Uber became aware of the outage and its impact, it said.
It comes as Melbourne’s entire train network was shut down due to the outage.
Services have now resumed but with major delays expected.
“Train services have resumed across the Metro network after an earlier communications outage,” Metro Trains said.
“There are major delays to all lines as we restore services with select alterations and cancellations.
“Listen for announcements and check displays.”
7NEWS understands the temporary shutdown was due to safety issues arising from an inability for train drivers to communicate with each other and their depots.
Optus first noticed the outage at 4.05am, Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin told ABC Radio Sydney.
There have been a series of attempts at restoration, she said.
“There is no indication that there is anything to do with spyware at this stage,” she said.
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