What is Telstra Satellite Voice?
Telstra Satellite Voice (powered by Starlink) is a fixed home phone service that uses the Starlink Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network to make and receive calls. The service is designed to provide a home phone service in locations where another suitable Telstra connection, such as 4G Fixed Wireless Voice, is not available. Telstra is also using Satellite Voice as a replacement technology for some CAN Radio/HCRC services.
The service uses a Starlink antenna and router together with a Telstra Smart Modem at your premises. Your home phone handset connects to the Telstra Smart Modem, with calls then carried over the Starlink satellite network.
A suitable location with a clear view of the sky is required for the Starlink antenna. Obstructions such as trees, buildings and terrain can affect the connection.
If you are being migrated from CAN Radio/HCRC
➡️ Read: BIRRR’s CAN Radio/HCRC Migration Guide
Telstra Satellite Voice is not the same as purchasing a Starlink service directly from Starlink. Telstra Satellite Voice is supplied by Telstra as a home phone service and, where it is being used to fulfil Telstra’s Universal Service Obligation, the applicable USO consumer
protections continue to apply.
Satellite Voice Service Limitations
Telstra Satellite Voice relies on the Starlink satellite network and equipment at your premises remaining available and operational. Performance can be affected by obstructions, severe weather, satellite/network congestion, network outages and equipment or power failures at your premises.
Telstra has advised that some voice prioritisation occurs locally on the customer’s service; however, voice traffic is not prioritised across the Starlink network, meaning congestion or other network conditions may affect call performance.
Equipment and Installation
Telstra Satellite Voice requires equipment at your premises, which may include:
- a Starlink Standard antenna (dish);
- Starlink router and associated cables/power supply;
- a Telstra Smart Modem; and
- mounting equipment appropriate for the installation.
- Eligible Priority Assistance customers only – a battery backup power supply or Priority Assistance Handset, depending on your arrangements with Telstra.
If you are being migrated to the Starlink voice solution you will receive two sets of equipment
Your home phone handset connects to the Telstra Smart Modem.
For customers eligible for a voice service under the Universal Service Obligation (USO), Telstra’s Satellite Voice service does not have equipment or installation costs.The Starlink antenna requires a suitable location with a clear view of the sky to operate reliably.
Satellite Voice Plan Costs
The Telstra Satellite Voice plan costs $50 per month and includes a Telstra Smart Modem, there are no installation or equipment costs. Discounts are available for customers who are eligible for Telstra concessions. Plan prices may change.
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.
➡️ Telstra’s Satellite Voice (Powered by Starlink) Critical information Summary
INSTALLATION & EQUIPMENT ARE FREE: If you are being migrated from CAN Radio/HCRC and receive correspondence suggesting you need to self-install your replacement service, arrange your own technician, or purchase a mount or other installation equipment, contact your Telstra case manager before proceeding. Equipment and professional installation required for your USO Satellite Voice migration should be provided by Telstra.
Satellite Voice Plan Features
The Telstra Satellite Voice plan includes:
- 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.
Satellite Voice & Broadband
You do not need to purchase Telstra Satellite Home Internet in order to have Telstra Satellite Voice. Telstra also offers a separate Satellite Home Internet service powered by Starlink, which can include a home phone service. This has different pricing, equipment and installation arrangements from the voice-only USO service.
Make sure you understand all of your broadband options before changing or bundling your services. This is particularly important as nbn is preparing to roll out Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite broadband services for premises in the nbn satellite footprint, providing another broadband option in the near future.
If you already have Starlink purchased directly from Starlink, BIRRR does not recommend using the same Starlink equipment for your Telstra USO voice service. Using the same equipment for both services creates an additional single point of failure. If the Starlink dish, router, power supply or other shared equipment fails, you may lose both your broadband and home phone at the same time.
Where possible, BIRRR recommends keeping your Telstra USO voice service on separate Telstra-supplied equipment, providing greater communications redundancy. Discuss the equipment and installation arrangements with Telstra before making any changes to your existing Starlink broadband service.
➡️ BIRRR’s Getting Connected Guide – explore the broadband options available at your property and consider which service best meets your needs.
BIRRR recommends treating Telstra Satellite Voice as a home phone service, not as your primary broadband connection. If you need broadband, consider the internet options available at your property separately and think carefully about communications redundancy. If your home phone and broadband rely on the same Starlink equipment and network, a single equipment failure, power outage or Starlink network outage may affect both services at the same time.
Satellite Voice Power Requirements
⚠️ Your Telstra Satellite Voice service requires power at your premises to operate. The Starlink antenna and router and the Telstra Smart Modem all require power. If this 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 combined power draw of 65–90 watts for the equipment used to provide Telstra Satellite Voice. This is considerably higher than 4G Fixed Wireless Voice because the Starlink equipment must also remain powered. BIRRR is seeking clarification from Telstra about this figure for the current Starlink Gen 3 and Telstra Smart Modem 4 equipment configuration. 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.
Customers in areas with unreliable power (and those without access to mains power) should consider suitable backup power for all of the equipment required to operate the service, not just the Telstra Smart Modem.
➡️ Power & Your Home Phone – BIRRR Guide
➡️ Telstra Power and Home Phone Services Fact Sheet
NB: Backup power at your property will only keep the equipment at your premises powered. Satellite Voice also relies on the Starlink satellite network. A Starlink network outage or other service disruption may still affect your home phone service, even if you have backup power at your property.
Satellite Voice Priority Assistance
Telstra Priority Assistance is available on Satellite Voice for eligible customers. Priority Assistance provides additional support for customers who have a diagnosed life-threatening medical condition and depend on a reliable home phone service. Eligible Priority Assistance customers may also receive professional installation and backup power equipment, such as a battery backup power supply or Priority Assistance Handset, depending on their circumstances and service arrangements.
If you are eligible for Priority Assistance, discuss your requirements with Telstra when ordering or making changes to your Satellite Voice service.
➡️ Telstra Priority Assistance
Satellite Voice & 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, check compatibility before changing to Satellite Voice. Older devices may need to be reprogrammed, replaced or connected another way. Contact the device manufacturer or service provider to confirm whether it will work with Telstra Satellite Voice.
IMPORTANT: Do not assume an existing connected device will work simply
because it can plug into the new service.
Your rights don’t change
Where Telstra Satellite 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
Satellite Voice Faults & Support
If your Satellite Voice service is not working, check that the Starlink equipment, 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.