Do you need a phone line for the NBN?

Fact Checked

Having a phone line in the home may have been more common with older internet connections like ADSL. With the rise of the NBN, phone lines started to become obsolete, especially as many of us now rely on our mobile phones.

However, you might be wondering; do you need a phone line for NBN? In this guide we’ll take a look at whether you need a phone line for NBN and what your options are if you want to keep your landline.

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• NBN Sponsored Plans
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The following table shows a selection of sponsored unlimited data Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50), and Premium Evening Speed (NBN 100) plans on Canstar Blue’s database with links to referral partners.

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$105 Cost/month

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Unlimited Data/month

$75.00 Cost/month

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Unlimited Home Standard (NBN 50) Plans

The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 50 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost (excluding discounts), from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

Unlimited Home Fast (NBN 100) Plans

The table below shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 100 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

Do I need a phone line for NBN?

When connecting to the NBN, you may have wondered does NBN use a phone line and do you need a landline for NBN. A phone line is not required to access the NBN, however it is offered by some providers offering fixed connection services (such as FTTP, FTTC, FTTN and HFC connections).

NBN home phones also use a different technology to traditional telephone line. However, if you like the idea of having a home phone and use it often, there are plenty of NBN plans out there that offer a bundled-in phone line.

How to keep your phone line with an NBN plan

If you still want to use a landline even though you don’t need a phone line for NBN, it might be worth considering using VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). VoIP converts your landline into using your internet connection, rather than the phone line. You just plug your phone connection into your modem, and completely avoid the copper wiring through your home phone line. As the aforementioned copper phone lines are being phased out, many internet plans now come with VoIP bundled in, or as an optional monthly add-on.

Compare NBN landline plans

NBN phone line services vary greatly between NBN providers. Some providers offer plans with pay as you go services (PAYG), whereas others offer unlimited landline calls as part of a monthly bundle. If you do plan on keeping your home phone, make sure you’re getting the plan that you need — if you make a lot of international calls, you should keep your eye on your money, as paying by the minute adds up!

PAYG plans typically don’t cost you any extra unless you use your phone line, with the assumption that you don’t use your landline often. Getting plans with minutes attached, or even unlimited national calling, cost around $10 per month, or are bundled in with your plan.

Each provider offers different plans, depending on your needs. Typically if you’re not big on landlines, pay as you go services will work for you. But if you prefer to keep your home phone line, you’ll probably want sign up for a plan that includes calls across Australia, and international calls if you need that too!

Will my emergency devices work with the NBN?

Some emergency devices like security alarms, medical alarms and fire alarms use landlines to work properly. Some of these devices aren’t compatible with the NBN network at all times, such as during a power blackout. This means if you’re living with emergency devices, they may not work during a power outage, but your mobile phone will still work, provided you have battery.

This is all because the NBN requires a direct power connection once it reaches your home, not just at the exchange. Previously with ADSL2+ connections that used copper wiring, landlines could still be used because the copper network didn’t require power at the home to call people with.

NBN Co suggests contacting your equipment provider (such as your medical alarm provider, lift emergency phone provider, etc) to discuss what options are available for these essential services to prepare for situations like a power outage. Many alarm providers can offer alternatives, such as backup batteries, or verify if your devices will be compatible with NBN technology. NBN Co also advises that customers with medical or emergency alarms register their device before connecting to the new network — this will help NBN identify and manage interruptions to your service.