Calls from any of Telstra’s 15,000 public payphones are now free.
Both national and local calls to standard fixed line and mobile numbers within Australia will no longer incur a charge.
As custodians of the iconic Australian landmark since the 1880’s, the telco giant made the announcement on Tuesday 3 August, citing the public payphones’ value in a society with limited coin usage.
“Last year alone, Australians made 11 million calls on payphones, including more than 230,000 calls to vital services like Triple Zero,” a Telstra representative said.
“So there’s no doubt payphones are already often the lifeline that’s there when it’s needed most.”
Telstra says its payphones can be found on street corners, in tiny towns, truck stops and airports in every corner of the country.
It’s an important moment, and Telstra issued a statement to explain why they’ve done it.
“Just before the arrival of mobiles there were more than double the number [of payphones] that we have today,” the statement read.
“Since mobiles became nearly universal, a lot of Australians might not give them much thought, until there’s a natural disaster, until you’re in vulnerable circumstances, homeless or fleeing domestic violence.
“That’s why [Telstra] decided it’s time to make payphones free. Because even in the age of the smartphone they play such a critical role in our community, particularly in times of need, and particularly for those in need.”
Telstra’s tagline is ‘Australia’s largest 5G network’.
Originally known as Telecom Australia, the business that employs more than 26,000 people changed its name in July 1995 to Telstra to distinguish itself from other telecommunications companies.
In a company statement, Telstra claimed its purpose is “to build a connected future so everyone can thrive. To deliver on this ambition we want to contribute to a better, more caring and more inclusive Australia, an Australia where people can reach out for help if and when they need to, or just connect if they feel like it.”
- By Rebecca Riddle, Newstate Media
