What is 4G Fixed Wireless Voice?
Telstra 4G Fixed Wireless Voice (4GFW) is a fixed home phone service delivered using the Telstra 4G mobile network. To use this service, your property must have adequate Telstra 4G mobile coverage.
The service uses a Telstra Smart Modem at your premises. Your home phone handset connects to the modem, which then uses the Telstra 4G network to make and receive calls. This technology is being used by Telstra to deliver home phone services in some rural and remote areas, including as a replacement technology for some CAN Radio/HCRC services.
If an external antenna is required, its location and installation may also be important to achieving a reliable service.
NB: Don’t confuse Telstra 4GFW Voice with nbn Fixed Wireless. They are different services using different networks. Telstra 4GFW Voice uses the Telstra mobile network.
For CAN Radio/HCRC customers, Telstra will assess whether 4GFW Voice is suitable for your property before offering it as your replacement technology.
➡️ If you are being migrated from CAN Radio / HCRC read more here:
CAN Radio/HCRC Migration Guide
4GFW Voice Service Limitations
Like any service delivered over a mobile network, 4GFW Voice relies on the Telstra mobile network remaining available and operational. Coverage and performance can be affected by distance from the mobile tower, terrain, vegetation and buildings. Your home phone service may be affected by network outages or faults, congestion, power outages affecting the mobile tower, or equipment or power failures at your premises. Calls are carried over the Telstra mobile network and have voice prioritisation.
4GFW Equipment & Installation
Your 4GFW installation may include:
– a Telstra Smart Modem;
– an external antenna or other equipment, where required, to provide a suitable connection; and
– Priority Assistance eligible customers ONLY – a battery backup power supply and a Priority Assistance Handset, if you have opted for this equipment.
In some cases Telstra will send out the smart modem and instructions for you to self install, in other cases a technician will need to attend your premises to install additional equipment, such as a compatible antenna. Priority assistance customers are eligible for a professional installation.
Some former NGWL customers had existing antennas or other infrastructure that was able to be retained or reused when they migrated to 4G Fixed Wireless Voice.
➡️ Read More here: Historical NGWL Equipment & Installation
Telstra recommends positioning the Smart Modem up high, in an open area near an external window and away from objects that may interfere with the mobile signal.
Telstra Smart Modem
Telstra’s 4GFW set up guide can be accessed here
4GFW current plans & cost
For customers eligible for a voice service under the Universal Service Obligation (USO), Telstra’s 4GFW Voice service does not have equipment or installation costs. The Telstra 4GFW Upfront Home Phone Plan costs $50 per month and includes a Telstra Smart Modem. Discounts are available for customers who are eligible for Telstra concessions. Plan prices may change.
➡️ Telstra Upfront Home Phone Plan – Critical Information Summary
NB: Plans are not contracted. Customers can change plans or cancel at any time. If you cancel within the first two years, you will need to return the Telstra Smart Modem or a $200 non-return fee may apply.
4GFW Plan Features
The Telstra Upfront Home Phone Plan delivered over 4G FW Voice includes:
– 2GB of incidental data for very limited internet use.
– Unlimited standard calls to Australian landlines, mobiles and 13 numbers.
– 30 minutes of standard international calls to any country each month.
– MessageBank.
– Caller ID (Calling Number Display).
– Number porting, where available, allowing you to keep your existing home phone number.
NB: The 2GB of included data is intended only for very limited internet use and may be unavailable during peak periods.
To explore other broadband and connectivity options available at your location, see
➡️ BIRRR’s Getting Connected Guide.
BIRRR recommends treating 4GFW as a home phone service, not as your primary broadband connection. If you need broadband, consider the internet options available at your property separately.
4GFW Power Requirements
⚠️ Your 4GFW Voice service requires power at your premises to operate. If the Telstra Smart Modem or other required equipment loses power, your home phone will not work, including for calls to Triple Zero (000).
Telstra’s Power Fact Sheet gives an indicative typical power draw of 10–15 watts for the Telstra Smart Modem used for 4GFW Voice. Telstra recommends consumers who need their service to operate during a power failure consider suitable backup power such as a UPS or portable power station.
NB: Backup power at your property will only keep the equipment at your premises powered. 4GFW Voice also relies on the Telstra mobile network. If the mobile tower servicing your premises is affected by a power outage, network fault or other outage, your home phone service may not work even if you have backup power at your property.
➡️ Power & Your Home Phone – BIRRR Guide
➡️ Telstra Power and Home Phone Services Fact Sheet
IMPORTANT: Please ensure you have power redundancy, such as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), battery or generator. Your voice service will not work in an
in-home power failure, without power redundancy.
4GFW Priority Assistance
Telstra Priority Assistance is available on 4G Fixed Wireless Voice. Eligible Priority Assistance customers can also elect to receive backup power equipment to help keep your home phone operating during a power outage. For more details on Priority Assistance and how to apply:
➡️ Telstra Priority Assistance
4GFW & Connected Devices
If you use equipment connected to your existing home phone service, such as a medical alarm, security or fire alarm, EFTPOS terminal, fax or other monitoring equipment, you will need to check compatibility before changing to a 4GFW home phone service.
Telstra specifically advises customers with safety-critical devices to contact the device provider to confirm whether the device will work over 4GFW or whether an alternative solution is required.
IMPORTANT: Do not assume an existing connected device will work simply because it can plug into the new service. Confirm compatibility with the device manufacturer or service provider.
Your rights don’t change
Where 4G Fixed Wireless Voice is supplied as your Standard Telephone Service under the Universal Service Obligation (USO), changing the technology used to deliver your home phone does not remove Telstra’s USO obligations. The Customer Service Guarantee (CSG) also applies to Telstra fixed voice services supplied under the USO, including relevant connection, repair and appointment timeframes. To learn more about your rights under the USO and the CSG, visit:
➡️ Landline Phones and the Universal Service Obligation (USO)
➡️ Home Phone Connection, Faults and Repairs
4GFW Faults & Support
If your 4G Fixed Wireless Voice service is not working, check that the Telstra Smart Modem and phone have power, check connections and, if possible, try another handset.
If the problem continues, report the fault to Telstra and ask for a fault or case reference number. Keep a record of when the fault was reported, any appointments and advice provided.
For information about your rights, fault repair timeframes and the Customer Service Guarantee:
➡️ Home Phone Connection, Faults and Repairs
If the issue remains unresolved, you have unresolved migration issues, or you are concerned about your service or the advice you have received:
➡️ Getting Help or Raising Concerns
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 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.