We get sent many questions about the NBN; everything from installation queries to when a particular neighborhood will get fibre. One thing we are frequently asked is how traditional phone services will work over the NBN - what happens if all you need is a plain phone service (not VOIP) using the phone you've always used?
Presently, retail service providers have the option of providing a telephone service over one of the Network Termination Device (NTD)'s UNI-V ports, or as a VoIP service using the NTD's data port. However, compatibility issues with service providers' operating systems means an analogue option is not always offered.
The NBN Co has just announced plans to test new software in conjunction with Primus to make it easier for telcos and ISPs to offer traditional analogue telephone services over the fibre network.
It is hoped that the upgraded software being tested by Primus will allow service providers to more easily integrate the analogue phone service into their operating systems.
According to the NBN Co, the new software "should give consumers confidence they can go to a wide range of service providers and switch from the copper network to fibre and have a quality telephone service using their existing telephone equipment."
NBN Co Chief Operating Officer, Ralph Steffens said: “We understand that there will be a number of people who only want a telephone service and that we need to offer quality telephone services while making the transition to fibre as easy and straightforward as possible."
Steffens stressed that the NBN Co will continue to work with retail service providers to give customers "a whole array of new plans, higher speeds and innovative applications", including telephone services over broadband using the data connection.
