business
Central Coast businesses seize digital openings as outages hit national providers
Local operators in online services and community media are moving fast to capture demand left by Telstra disruptions.
How we reported this
Central Coast online radio operators and digital service providers have recorded a 22 per cent jump in new business accounts since the Telstra outage began on 10 July.
The national network failure exposed gaps in coverage for small firms and households across the region, pushing owners to seek alternatives that keep local content and transactions running without interruption. Central Coast Chamber of Commerce figures show enquiries for local hosting and streaming packages rose sharply in the first 48 hours after the event.
Stations based along Mann Street in Gosford and at The Entrance have already signed 14 new advertising contracts with cafes and real-estate offices that previously relied on national platforms. Erina Fair traders report their live-stream promotions now reach audiences through these local feeds instead of disrupted apps.
Industry data released 11 July by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network listed a 31 per cent increase in regional switchovers to independent providers during the same period last year. Central Coast accounts for 8 per cent of those moves so far this month, with average monthly fees for the new services running between $45 and $65.
Who has moved first
Two venues stand out. The team at Coast FM on Mann Street added three new weekend music blocks aimed at Terrigal commuters, while a smaller outfit operating from a Wyong industrial unit picked up four retail clients from the former Telstra business bundle. Both report server loads running at 85 per cent capacity and are hiring part-time technicians to handle demand.
Property managers in Woy Woy have also shifted listings to these local streams, cutting their reliance on national portals that went dark during the outage.
Next steps for owners
Firms still on national plans can audit their current contracts this week and test local alternatives with a 14-day trial offered by the Gosford-based providers. Early sign-ups lock in rates before expected price adjustments at the end of July.