Is it possible to get a home phone for free?
While phone number registration is free in Australia, landline phone numbers are now more commonly bundled with an internet or cable service, such as Fixed Wireless nbn® plans, especially with the nbn® network’s recently completed rollout. It’s becoming more common to access the internet without signing up for any home phone plans, as audio and video calls are now possible over the internet.
That being said, many subscribers to home phone plans are worried about losing their current phone numbers when transferring between services. This hesitation is understandable – for many homes and businesses that use their phones heavily, the hassle of changing their assigned phone numbers may be too great. For businesses, it may mean losing contact with regular customers or established partners, potentially leading to a loss of income.
We at Skymesh let our subscribers maintain their current landline phone numbers when they transfer from a public switched telephone network (PSTN) provider, particularly Telstra. This means that instead of using the older copper wire network to access phone services, your new number will now use the faster and newer nbn® network. The nbn® network also connects more areas than the previous copper network’s infrastructure could access. The nbn® network employs VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) to make phone calls, which is why such phone services are most commonly bundled with a wireless broadband plan.
This means that you will transfer your old home phone plans to newer ones. Your new service may operate differently, but you may rest assured that SkyMesh will retain your phone number. Speak with the SkyMesh team if you have any questions about the transfer process, so you can be ready when the copper wire network is officially shut off in your area.
How much do landlines cost per month on average?
Several of us may still find landline phones more convenient and familiar, despite the decline in the number of registered home phone plans in recent years and the depreciation of the older copper wire networks.
It’s why mobile phone and internet bundles are a staple in metropolitan areas, especially with households opting to port over their old home phone number to a new provider and transitioning to either a bundled service or a more recent provider that utilises the nbn® network.
The cost is the next question for people on the fence about transferring from home phone plans to nbn® network landline phone plans or bundled internet plans.
The average cost of a landline phone-only service in the country starts at $40 to $55 for monthly service subscriptions, with the cost of installations and devices not yet included. Conversely, the nbn® network-supported phone-only services typically cost less, with plans costing as low as $35 for the monthly service.
There’s a caveat, of course. Switching from copper wire home phone plans to nbn® network VoIP bundled services may also require you to update your physical phone set, which may involve a one-time installation or phone unit fee.
However, in some cases, you may not have to go completely wireless; some nbn® network phone-only services allow you to keep your phone socket. You may also take advantage of your Sky Muster® or Sky Muster® Plus satellite internet service to make phone calls for an additional service cost to your existing plan.
If you need a standard telephone service and if you or someone in your household has a life-threatening medical condition, please look for a provider who can offer you a service with Priority Assistance. Take note that no nbn® Fixed Wireless, Sky Muster® or Sky Muster® Plus plans support Priority Assistance, and SkyMesh does not offer standard telephone services with it.
What should I look for when choosing home phone plans?
Your home phone plans should meet a few important conditions if you wish to make the most of your new service. Here are the factors to look out for.
- Coverage. Key among the factors you’ll want is that your address or location is ready for service deployment. SkyMesh connects households through the nbn® network, and you can check your address through our coverage map (available here on our website). If you’re an active SkyMesh subscriber, you may simply add a home phone service to your wifi internet service plan.
- Bundled services. Gone are the days when the internet was optional; these days, if you wish to stay connected, you’ll need an internet connection. Mobile and internet bundle services take advantage of the current telecommunications technology by offering phone and internet service under a single subscription. Look for a service provider that isn’t just competitively priced but also provides additional services, such as transferring or retaining your current landline phone number when you sign up.
- Customer and after-sales service. How well does your current service understand your needs? Providers like SkyMesh deploy regional broadband specialists who are entirely local – we’re not outsourced to a call centre abroad. SkyMesh also offers remote customer support by prior arrangement (primarily for internet services). Enquire with our support team about scheduling a site visit.
Moving between home phone plans to wireless nbn® and mobile bundle plans is now easier than ever. These plans are more convenient and often more cost-effective, especially for rural and isolated addresses that are currently experiencing proper connectivity through the nbn® network.
Skymesh happily bridges the gap between the two with robust services and strong client support. Check your address for SkyMesh coverage today.
