Information for rural, regional and remote consumers about Universal Service Obligation (USO) home phone services, your consumer rights, connections and repairs, power requirements, and current or previous technology migrations.
USO Home Phones & Landlines – Your Rights
What the Universal Service Obligation is, what a Standard Telephone Service is, Telstra’s obligations, Copper Continuity Obligation, national pricing, Priority Assistance, and links to the other guides.
Home Phone Connections, Faults & Repairs
How to order a USO service, report a fault, contact Telstra, Customer Service Guarantee timeframes and compensation, appointments, and interim or alternative services.
Getting Help or Raising Concerns
Having trouble ordering a service, dealing with a fault, experiencing migration issues or concerned about changes to your voice service? Find complaint, escalation and support options.
Power & Your Home Phone
Understanding power requirements for different home phone technologies, what happens during a power outage, backup power options and planning for communications resilience.
USO VOICE TECHNOLOGIES & MIGRATIONS
CAN Radio / HCRC Migration
Current CAN Radio/HCRC migration information, replacement technologies, installation and power requirements, consumer considerations, communications resilience and BIRRR’s downloadable Migration Checklist & Email Template.
Copper Landlines & ADSL Changes
Information about copper landlines, the Copper Continuity Obligation (CCO), Vocus’ 2025 wholesale copper exit and Telstra’s 2027 ADSL exit.
Telstra 4G Fixed Wireless Voice – Consumer Guide
How Telstra 4G Fixed Wireless Voice works, equipment and installation, costs and features, power requirements, Priority Assistance, connected devices, limitations and support.
Telstra Satellite Voice (powered by Starlink) – Consumer Guide
How Telstra Satellite Voice powered by Starlink works, equipment and installation, costs and features, power requirements, Priority Assistance, connected devices, limitations and support.
NGWL Migration – Historical Information
Historical information about Telstra’s NextG Wireless Link (NGWL), the 3G network closure and migration to replacement voice technologies.
Disclaimer: This information was prepared by Better Internet for Rural, Regional & Remote Australia (BIRRR) and updated in August 2026 as a general consumer information resource. Information, regulatory requirements, service arrangements, timeframes and compensation amounts may change. BIRRR recommends confirming current information with your service provider, the ACMA or relevant Australian Government agency. This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice.