Update: 2025-04-04 I reverted my phone to default settings and it works again this morning. So this was a temporary problem

Problem:

Can't access Exetel.com.au through the App or Browser from my Phone at the moment.

The error thrown is DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

I am using a Woolworths Mobile Plan which is a Telstra based service.

However if I connect to a VPN I can access it.

When I connect to the VPN it doesn't change the default gateway but I believe it changes to different DNS servers.

Cause:

This indicates that there is a problem with the DNS resolution on my Woolworths Mobile data service.

dnschecker.org shows exetel.com.au resolves to an IP Address or Addresses. So the problem isn't Exetels DNS records but probably the DNS server that my Woolworths Mobile Data plan is using.

In short problem isn't the website but something in between.

Resolution:

Fix - Point my phone at a different DNS provider

Enable Private DNS

Samsung S24

GOTO Settings => Connections => More Connection Settings

Select Private DNS provider hostname and enter and save dns.google

This bypasses the DNS servers that are  failing to resolve www.exetel.com.au and you might be able to connect.