What to Do When You Experience Optus Signal Issues Daily?

So you keep encountering Optus coverage issues every day and think this is normal? For what you’re coughing up each month, you definitely deserve so much better.

Thousands of us in Australia face this problem on a daily basis, and around 68% of people end up thinking about changing carriers or upgrading their plan, thinking that’ll sort this mess out. Well, that’s not it!

There are solutions out there that don’t involve ditching the carrier you’ve stuck with all your life or spending a fortune on yet another plan. In this guide, we’ll reveal everything you need to know. From simple fixes to advanced solutions. And most importantly, how to tell when it’s worth holding on and when it’s time to move on. Your days of accepting a terrible Optus signal are officially over.

Key Takeaways

• Optus covers 98.5% of Aussies by population, but only 35% of the country by land area.
• Urban areas get better coverage. Rural and regional spots often suffer from Optus blackspots.
• Quick fixes include toggling airplane mode, restarting your phone, removing bulky cases, and cleaning your SIM card.
• Escalating your complaint through Optus and the TIO is your right as an Aussie customer.
• The most effective long-term solution is installing an Optus signal booster that meets Australian network standards.

What’s Behind Your Optus Coverage Issues

Before we look for solutions, let’s first explore why Optus coverage issues happen. There are multiple reasons behind it. Some reasons are easy to spot, others not so much.

If you’re willing to understand more about Optus mobile reception issues, hop onto this article: [Why Optus Mobile Data Is Not Working].

How 4G and 5G Performance Impact Optus Coverage

According to OpenSignal’s latest Australia Mobile Network Experience report from April 2025, Optus’s poor signal strength varies widely across different network technologies. The report also noted that Optus ranked first for 4G Video Experience, scoring 69.9 points out of 100, placing it in the “Very Good” (68–78) category for 4G video services.

Nevertheless, complaints persist about coverage despite this technology. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) indicated that 5.4% of Optus customer complaints were elevated to the TIO in the January–March 2025 quarter (though Telstra had even more, with 10.2%).

This means that even though Optus performed well based on urban 4G and 5G metrics, Optus’ reception issues were still at odds with overall customer satisfaction.

5G Performance vs. Coverage Reality

Optus 5G achievements include:

• Winner of the 5G Download Speed award for the seventh consecutive report, scoring 209.1 Mbps
• Joint winner of the 5G Upload Speed award with Vodafone (17.2-17.4 Mbps)
• Sole winner of the Consistent Quality award with an 80.1% score

While the notable successes in 5G metrics were widely promoted, the National Audit of Mobile Coverage offered a more sobering view.

The audit found that mobile coverage on roads between large population centres was still “non-existent”. Many regional roads had no 5G coverage or only a moderate Optus 4G signal strength, highlighting ongoing Optus coverage issues.

Additionally, OpenSignal’s 2025 report showed that people in certain parts of Queensland were unable to obtain mobile connectivity for more than 10% of their time. In many regional areas of Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory, people experienced no mobile connectivity more than 5% of the time. These figures reflect the real gaps in Optus’ network coverage, especially outside urban areas.

Optus Network Coverage at a Glance

Since you’re dealing with Optus signal issues, it helps knowing how Optus stacks up against the other major carriers in Australia.

Here’s a straight-up rundown of Australia’s three big networks:

Optus

• Coverage

1. Population: 98.5%
2. Land area: ~35%
3. Metro coverage: Excellent
4. Rural coverage: Moderate, many blackspots

• Performance

1. 4G speeds: 50–120 Mbps
2. 5G speeds: 150–350 Mbps
3. Optus reception issues more common outside cities

• Plans and Extras

1. Average cost: $35–$65/month
2. Data rollover, Optus Sport, Wi-Fi Calling

• Weaknesses

1. Patchy in regional towns
2. Frequent Optus bad reception in remote areas

A Little Side Note: If you’re experiencing poor reception from Optus at home, low frequencies could be the primary reason. But what are low frequencies mainly used for? Well, they’re primarily there to improve indoor coverage and help extend signal reach in rural and suburban areas. Low-band frequency signals, for example, 700 MHz, travel through building materials (e.g., walls) and obstacles (e.g., trees) better than higher frequencies.

So, if your device supports these low bands and you’re in an area where low bands are deployed, the chances of experiencing signal issues within your house should be significantly reduced. Just be sure to double-check the specifications for your device and Optus coverage maps to ensure you are taking advantage of the benefits of the low frequencies.

Telstra

• Coverage

1. Population: 99.6%
2. Land area: ~60%
3. Metro coverage: Excellent
4. Rural coverage: The best in Australia

• Performance

1. 4G speeds: 60–140 Mbps
2. 5G speeds: 200–400 Mbps

• Plans and Extras

1. Average cost: $45–$85/month
2. AFL/NRL streaming, Blue Tick phones, Wi-Fi Calling

• Weaknesses

1. Higher cost
2. Some congestion in city centres

Vodafone

• Coverage

1. Population: 96%
2. Land area: ~25%
3. Metro coverage: Very good
4. Rural coverage: Poor

• Performance

1. 4G speeds: 40–100 Mbps
2. 5G speeds: 120–300 Mbps

• Plans and Extras

1. Average cost: $30–$60/month
2. $5/day roaming, Qantas points, Wi-Fi Calling

• Weaknesses

1. Weak outside cities
2. Not ideal for travellers or regional users

It may also help to check out this guide: [Quick Fix for Telstra, Optus or Vodafone]

5-Minute Solutions to Sort Out Your Optus Signal Problems

Always start easy. No need to rush into big work when a quick fix might do the trick for your bad Optus signal.

We grouped all the easy fixes that can be done in a couple of minutes to help you get over those pesky Optus coverage issues.

• Flick on airplane mode for about thirty seconds, then switch it off again. It gives your phone a little nudge to reconnect and (hopefully) grab a stronger signal from the nearest Optus tower.
• Power your phone off completely and leave it off for at least two minutes before turning it back on. That quick reset often freshens up your network connection and sorts out those annoying Optus weak signal moments.
• Take off any chunky or metal phone cases, as these can mess with your phone’s antenna and make your Optus coverage issues worse.
• Check your battery level and charge up if it’s low. A flat battery can make your phone struggle to hold onto a decent signal or switch between towers properly.
• Pop your SIM card out, give it a quick wipe, and put it back in. A bit of dust or a loose SIM can cause random dropouts even in spots where coverage should be fine.
• Try toggling mobile data off and on, or switch between 4G and 5G in your settings. Sometimes one network band works better than the other, depending on where you are.
• Ask a mate nearby if they’re having the same issues. It’s a quick way to figure out if it’s just your phone or if there’s a bigger network issue going on.

Those 5-minute fixes might help, but there’s a fair chance it won’t last. Optus signal issues can show up again at any time, even right after you think it’s all sorted.

Escalation Process for Persistent Optus Reception Issues

Now, if you’ve tried all of the quick fixes and still find yourself dealing with persistent Optus coverage issues, you’re well within your rights as an Aussie customer to look at what’s next.

Here’s the best way to escalate your complaint and achieve results:

Contact Optus Support Directly

• Call Optus: Call 133 937 (Mon–Fri 8 am–9 pm, Sat 9 am–7 pm).
• Go Online: Submit a formal complaint at optus.com.au/complaints.
• What to Say: Explain your ongoing signal issues and request to lodge a formal complaint. Make sure to request a complaint reference number so you can track your case.
• What Happens Next: Optus will acknowledge your complaint within a span of two business days and assign a Customer Relations Expert to handle your case.

Escalate to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO)

If Optus doesn’t resolve your signal issues to your satisfaction:

• Contact the TIO: Phone: 1800 062 058/Website: tio.com.au
• How It Works: The TIO is a free and independent service that assists with complaints between consumers and telcos.
• Timeline: Once you submit your complaint, the TIO gives Optus 10 business days to resolve the issue. If the dispute remains unresolved after that period, then the TIO will do further investigations.
• What You Can Get: The TIO can help you obtain compensation both financially and non-financially, such as service credits, refunds, or even release from your contract if the coverage issues persist.

By following this process, you make sure your complaint gets on the record and pushed up the line. This gives you a shot at sorting those ongoing Optus signal issues once and for all.

That said, if you feel like this is an absolute headache you don’t have time for, we’ve saved the best for last!

Optus Mobile Reception Booster Setup: The Best Solution

The real deal comes last, and this is it. If you just really want to get to the part where you wake up and barely remember Optus’ poor signal strength was ever a thing, here’s where it starts.

Setting up an Optus mobile signal booster at home is the fix that lets you stop stressing and start living. You’ll install it once and then pretty much forget that weak signal ever gave you grief.

Signal boosters will capture your weak Optus signal outside, amplify it, and broadcast it all through your house. It’s about as close as you’ll get to a magic trick for your phone. You won’t have to bother Optus support again or wait to have the towers repaired.

And by the way, installing a signal booster isn’t difficult at all. You’ll just need to mount an outdoor antenna, run a cable inside to the booster unit, and put an indoor antenna in the area you want coverage. It can usually be done in less than an hour with the right equipment. You can even check it all out in our full installation guide.

Why Go for an Optus Mobile Signal Booster?

Based on experiences posted by people online, Optus users across Australia often choose signal boosters to overcome their Optus coverage issues, rather than engaging in seemingly endless customer support calls. Real Aussie customers posted meaningful stories that indicate mobile boosters work better than band-aid fixes.

Sydney Office Transformation

A business owner based in Sydney posted their story on Trustpilot. They had a “pretty average signal” in their office with a continual drop-out of calls. Data was slow. It certainly didn’t operate at its best, especially during peak times. They did some research on budget options and installed an Optus signal booster.

The transformation was instant. “The booster’s been working well and everyone’s noticed it,” they said. Their entire team now enjoys consistent connectivity without the frustration of Optus mobile reception issues.

Rural Property Near Alice Springs

The owner of a cattle station 200 km from Alice Springs was dealing with an unstable Optus service inside their metal-roofed buildings. After months of contacting customer support and waiting for the company to improve the network, he decided to install an external antenna and a 5G mobile signal booster unit.

The cost was over $1,200, but the results were immediate. His Optus signal strength improved from having no bars to having full coverage for his entire homestead. As he stated, buying the equipment himself was a better and faster option than waiting for Optus to upgrade rural facilities.

Hunter Valley Rural Success

A resident in the Hunter Valley had experienced zero mobile phone reception in their home. After doing all the simple troubleshooting options and speaking to Optus support several times, they had no luck.

Then, they decided to make the right decision and buy an Optus 4G mobile signal booster, and suddenly everything changed! Bars jumped to 5 across the whole house. Calls went through smoothly without a delay. And data started flowing perfectly.

Regional Victoria Farm Installation

A farmer in Victoria recounted his experience after his local 3G tower had been taken down. With little choice, he faced either expensive Starlink internet or a mobile signal booster. He chose the booster and hasn’t looked back.

“After our local 3G tower was removed, I had virtually no signal at home. Luckily, there’s a 4G tower about 10 kms away, and after having the booster installed, I’m now receiving 4 to 5 service bars indoors.” The difference was impressive with both the call quality and mobile data speeds.

My Own Take

Over five years and more than 500 signal booster installations across Australia, I’ve seen the same pattern again and again. Customers typically spend months battling a bad signal with Optus through restarting their phone, upgrading their plans, contacting Optus customer service, filing complaints, and only one thing seemed to work: installing an Optus mobile booster.

The best results often came from rural homes, houses with thick walls, and commercial buildings where the usual fixes never worked.

Most complaints about Optus mobile reception boil down to infrastructure limits that customers can’t fix on their own. Signal boosters work by amplifying whatever signal is there to a usable level. Unlike customer support, which deals mostly with account issues, boosters tackle the real problem, which is “poor signal strength.”

After hundreds of installs, one thing stood out. Timing is everything. Most customers said they wish they had installed a booster sooner. Apparently, the longer you leave it, the more calls you’ll miss and the more frustration piles up.

Getting a signal booster puts a full stop to all those headaches and never-ending complaints. You’ll forget all those years of dropped calls, slow data, and chasing support, like it was never even a thing.

Common FAQs About Optus Coverage Issues

Because we know you have some questions on your mind, we collected all the FAQs and common stuff Aussies ask about Optus coverage issues and signal problems. Here it is, with straight-up answers to help you sort things out.

How to check my Optus signal strength properly?

The bars on your phone are pretty useless for getting accurate readings at this point. Hence, to accurately check your Optus signal strength, you need to check the actual dBm reading.

If you have an iPhone, in your phone app dial 3001#12345#. This will open Field Test Mode on your device. Look for the RSRP value under the LTE or 5G section. This shows your real signal strength.

But if you’re an Android user, you can easily check your signal strength measurements by going to Settings > About Phone > Status > SIM Status on the phone.

Signal strength is only measured in dBm, short for decibels-milliwatts. A good signal is generally considered to be between -50 and -80 dBm. Meanwhile, anything under -100 dBm is pretty ordinary. There are also some apps available to download for measuring the signal, such as OpenSignal or CellMapper.

Why does Optus have bad reception in certain areas?

Optus coverage issues can happen for a few reasons. Your location could be the biggest factor. The further the cellular tower, the weaker your coverage.

Also, some building materials like concrete, metal roofing, and energy-efficient windows could severely impact radio signals.

Network congestion during peak times is another thing. This could make the reception five times worse. Rural areas cop it worse since there are fewer towers and they’re spread much further apart. Even weather conditions could affect signal quality. Check our article about [How Climate Change Could Cut Off Your Signal in Australia] while you’re at it.

Why is Optus’ reception so bad compared to other networks?

Optus signal problems usually come down to how its network setup is compared to the other big carriers. Sure, Optus says it covers 98.5% of Australians, but that’s just counting people, not the actual land. When you look at the land itself, it’s only about 35% of the country.

Telstra, on the other hand, got the upper hand there, covering 99.6% of people and around 60% of Australia’s land, so it’s no wonder they do better in rural areas.

Optus puts most of its focus on the cities and metro spots, which leaves us in the regions or out in the sticks dealing with patchy signals. Plus, Optus runs on different frequency bands compared to the others, and in some places, there just aren’t enough towers around to keep the Optus network running strong.

How to boost Optus mobile signal without changing carriers?

You’ve got many ways to improve your Optus signal without ditching your provider. The top long-term fix is installing a signal booster since it grabs the weak signal outside and spreads it through your house.

For quicker fixes, try standing by a window, removing chunky phone cases, or resetting your phone. You can also switch between 4G and 5G in your settings. Sometimes one works better than the other, depending on where you are. And don’t forget Wi-Fi calling; it sends calls through your internet instead of the towers.

What’s the cost of an Optus booster in Australia?

The cost of an Optus booster varies greatly by coverage area and features. Basic home Optus signal boosters covering up to 300 square metres start at approximately $429–$534. While larger ones covering 500–1000 square metres range from $622 to $622–$1,485. The largest commercial-grade systems covering 5000 square metres can cost up to $4,730.

Will an Optus signal booster work with other carriers?

Almost all modern signal boosters work across multiple carriers. But if your booster specifies that it works only for Optus, then it works only for Optus. That’s not a problem, though, because you can always get a Telstra signal booster or a Vodafone signal booster if you’re not with Optus. Though we recommend getting one that works with all carriers, just in case you happen to live or work with people on different carriers.

Are signal boosters legal in Australia?

Yes, however, certain types are legal. Regular “mobile phone boosters” that connect to your phone could be illegal and can incur fines of up to $360,000. But mobile signal repeaters that meet the Australian network standards, like the ones we sell, are safe and approved for use by all Australian carriers.

Summary

You don’t have to deal with Optus signal issues every day, especially when you’re paying for a service that should be worth your money. But you don’t really have to deal with this anymore because there are things you can do that can help resolve these Optus signal issues once and for all. From quick DIY fixes to proper long-term solutions like installing a legal Optus mobile reception booster.

No more mucking about with complaints and waiting for tower upgrades. Cell Booster Australia offers Optus signal boosters that have worked efficiently with many Aussies in the past few years. Join them now and get yours while it’s still on sale!

Don’t wait too long. Every day you put it off means more missed calls and more hassle piling up.