Australians can now use Telstra payphones for free to call any number locally or nationally, the telecommunications giant announced today.
The decision is aimed at helping those in crisis situations and boosting connectivity during the pandemic for people without access to a mobile.
Telstra CEO, Andrew Penn said the change means everyone can now use any one of the network's 15,000 payphones to make a free local or national call to a standard fixed line or a call to an Australian mobile.
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"The availability of a payphone is a vital lifeline, especially for those who are vulnerable including the homeless, people who are isolated or someone escaping an unsafe situation," Telstra CEO, Andrew Penn said.
In the past year, about 11 million calls were made across Australia from Telstra payphones including more than 230,000 calls to critical services like '000' and Lifeline.
Mr Penn said during natural disasters, including the recent flood crisis and Black Summer bushfires, payphones have served as a "critical" part of helping families contact loved ones and emergency services.
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"I can only imagine the relief their families feel knowing their loved one is safe," he said.
Mr Penn also noted the rise in domestic violence since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasising the importance of payphones for those trying to escape dangerous situations.
"It's not always easy for people in these situations to use a home phone or their mobile to get help so I hope that making payphone calls free might play a small part in helping them get the assistance they need," he said.
The Salvation Army's Major Brendan Nottle welcomed the announcement, describing the change as "an absolute game changer" for vulnerable members of the community.
"The reality is this piece of infrastructure is absolutely critical because a lot of Australians either don't have a mobile phone, lose it or the phone's charger, or simply run out of credit," he said.
"Connection is absolutely vital for every human being, but particularly for those who are vulnerable.
"It's really important for them to break down that sense of social poverty, social isolation, and to connect with a friend or with support services."
