Telstra's mobile network is beginning to return to normal after 3G services went down in central Melbourne and the inner suburbs.


The network went down shortly around 4pm.


Comment is being sought from the telco as to when service will resume.


Whirlpool tech forum users reported connection issues soon after 4pm, saying that 3G services in several inner suburbs were affected.


Forum users have since reported that the network is running in the CBD and some inner suburbs.


The suburbs affected by the failure included the CBD, Southbank, Kensington, Collingwood, Port Melbourne, West Melbourne and East Melbourne.


A representative from business broadband company Gianet reported that he had received this message from Telstra:


"Just to advise Telstra is currently experiencing issues with mobile coverage in our Inner Melbourne area."


"There is currently no restoration timeframe, but wanted to advise you in case you were wondering what was going on."


However, internet services were not affected, according to the users.


One user was provided with a network time of "1970 jan 2 10:19 am".


Vodafone suffered a similar Melbourne mobile network outage in November, when an air conditioning unit failed during sweltering temperatures.


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