In a strategic move to strengthen its technological leadership, Australian telecommunications provider Optus has secured the appointment of Sri Amirthalingam as its new Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Amirthalingam joins Optus after an extensive 36-year tenure with rival telco Telstra, where he held significant responsibilities in investment strategy, technology development, and the planning and construction of both fixed and mobile networks.
This executive transition comes at a critical juncture for Optus as it continues efforts to restore consumer confidence following a catastrophic 14-hour triple-0 emergency service outage in September 2025. The network failure, which has been connected to multiple fatalities, severely damaged the company’s reputation for reliability.
Outgoing CTO Tony Baird will depart the company following a transition period, with Amirthalingam formally assuming his new position in January. The appointment signals Optus’s commitment to leveraging extensive industry experience as it works to overhaul its network infrastructure and operational resilience.
Industry analysts view this recruitment as a significant coup for Optus, bringing onboard one of Telstra’s most experienced network infrastructure veterans. Amirthalingam’s deep understanding of Australia’s telecommunications landscape is expected to play a crucial role in Optus’s ongoing recovery strategy and future technological development.