NBN Co is set to help 400 owners of unmonitored medical alarms with the cost of migrating to the national broadband network as part of a trial, before launching an assistance program.
Autodialling services do not automatically transfer when NBN services are connected.
Once an area is declared as ready to connect by the NBN, residents and businesses usually have 18 months to make the switch to the network before the fixed line network is decommissioned.
Across the country, 3.5 million homes and businesses have activated NBN services and 2.75 million are ready to connect.
An NBN Co spokesperson said advice from a phone and internet provider should be sought before moving any landline, internet and alarm services.
As part of the trial, NBN Co will work with manufacturers and up to 400 medical alarm users to refine its processes before announcing full details of an assistance program.
“The trial will assist NBN Co to refine details including identifying specific alarm suppliers and devices eligible to participate in the scheme and confirming the eligibility criteria for participants,” the spokesperson said.
Anyone who has a medical alarm device should add their details to the NBN’s medical alarm register.
NBN Co staff will call people on the register when they are able to connect to the NBN and provide advice regarding their device.
NBN Co’s chief customer officer - residential Brad Whitcomb said the trial would help them better understand the systems and processes needed to work with medical alarm providers and users to deliver the new assistance program.
“We are committed to working with the healthcare industry as well as phone and internet service providers, to help ensure users of medical alarms are aware of what they need to do to switch to services over the NBN access network,” Mr Whitcomb said.
“It's important for these residents to understand that the move to services over the NBN access network is not automatic and it may take some planning and preparation.
“We are urging everyone who has a medical alarm device – or family members, carers and friends of those people – to add their details to our medical alarm register so one of our team members can provide them with assistance and guidance about how to find out if their existing alarms will be compatible with the NBN access network.”
NBN Co will announce details about how people can apply to participate in the full program once is it launched in the second half of this year.
For information and to register visit nbnco.com.au/learn-about-the-nbn/device-compatibility.html or call 1800 227 300 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
