Telstra to improve landline services in rural and remote areas

This week Telstra has committed to improving the reliability of landline services for regional and remote customers, following the 2018 report of the Regional Telecommunications Review that identified extended faults and lengthy repair times as major issues for rural Australians.

“Landlines are a lifeline for many regional Australians and repeat faults and long repair timeframes are just not good enough and are significant pain points for those living in regional, rural and remote areas,” said Minister for Regional Services Bridget McKenzie. “For some, a landline service is their only connection to the outside world and can literally mean the difference between life and death.”

The work undertaken by Telstra will include repairing and replacing 1,000 of the worst performing landline cables in the country, moving 350 customers off the aging HCRC network and increasing stock levels of essential components to reduce repair time delays.

“This is a welcome first step in addressing regional connectivity challenges,” said Minister McKenzie. “I understand firsthand just how important a reliable landline is, particularly in areas with limited mobile coverage.”

The news of Telstra’s commitment was welcomed by farming peak bodies across the country, particularly in Queensland where recent natural disasters have tested communications infrastructure in rural areas.

“The recent North Queensland flood disaster highlighted that and proved that reliable landlines in the bush are critical,” said AgForce General President Georgie Somerset. “Farmers have long been frustrated about extended faults and repair times for landline services. Their landline is still the most reliable telecommunications option they have – often if there’s cloud cover satellite internet drops out and many of our members do not have reliable mobile coverage.

“There currently isn’t any reliable voice alternative for Australians living in rural and remote communities, which is why our landlines also need to be independent of other technology.”

You can find out more about Telstra’s program of work by clicking here.