the main coastal fibre-optic cable was cut near colosseum causing widespread disruptions. this was followed by further damage to the alternate cable north of harlin late on 26 january, resulting in widespread failures of mobile, landline, atm, eftpos, broadband services and the 000 emergency response number. the result of both of telstra's major communications routes in queensland being cut was that the towns of mackay, freshwater, cairns, rockhampton, mount morgan, townsville, mount isa and gladstone were almost completely isolated from communications technology. telstra services were largely restored within 24 hours of the incident. power outages resulted in disruptions to a number of optus phone services.