IN another sign that mobile communications are dominating the market, Telstra has signalled an end to the tradition where new homes are automatically fitted with a copper landline link.
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From November 19 to the end of December the national telco is testing the market by trialling a change in its business model.
Lead-in cables will be provided only if connection work to the site is ordered by the customer.
Based on feedback from the trial, a decision will be made next year on a permanent policy.
“There’s a changing environment in telecommunications,” Telstra’s south-west area manager Bill Mundy said.
“More and more customers are taking up all-mobile services, which don’t need a landline.
“About 15 per cent of preprovisioning lead-ins are never connected to the Telstra network via a service request.
“This trial is to test whether this change will improve Telstra’s return on investment in this type of work. Savings will be generated by ensuring we provide a lead-in to customers who have a need to connect to our network.”
Mr Mundy said the trend to mobile services and rollout of the NBN network made landlines less relevant.
“Customers should seriously consider their need for a fixed-line service,” he said.
“Under the trial any orders that are, or can be, associated with a customer service request will not be affected.
“Other orders not able to be linked to a specific customer request will be cancelled and the work will not be completed.”
Residential customers pay $299 to have a lead-in cable fitted from a Telstra network point to a house socket.