In making a decision as to whether a request for a Telstra operated payphone is justified, we will have regard to the following factors:
- whether the request meets the criteria for Telstra to fulfil its universal service obligation, or can be commercially justified
- the need to obtain necessary approvals from third parties including local councils, property owners, and others in the local neighbourhood which may involve door knocking and one to one consultation
- access of the proposed site to continuous commercial 240 volt mains power
- environmental considerations
- the safety of Telstra staff, customers and the general public.
We will make all reasonable efforts to provide and maintain a payphone on an equitable basis considering financial and geographical implications. We will apply an assessment framework, on a case by case basis, to determine if the provision of a Telstra operated payphone can be justified. However, we will not provide a service where it is impracticable to do so.
| Location | Telstra will provide a payphone if it is assessed that projected revenues is less than the costs* and; there is no payphone | Telstra will provide a payphone if it is assessed that projected revenues will cover costs* and; there is no payphone | Telstra will provide one or more payphones if site is considered commercially viable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail centres | No | within approx 1km | Yes |
| Entertainment venues | No | within approx 1km | Yes |
| Transport terminal or hub | No | within approx 1km | Yes |
| Health and community facilities | No | within approx 1km | Yes |
| Residential communities (incl. caravan parks & holiday units) in cities & towns with low home phone connection | within approx 1km | within approx 1km | Yes |
| Residential communities in cities and towns with average or high level of home telephone connection | No | within approx 2km | Yes |
| Industrial or commercial areas | No | within approx 2km | Yes |
| Small villages and towns (incl. holiday areas) | within approx 40km | within approx 40km | Yes |
| Small service centres on highways and major roads in rural areas | 250km where there is adequate mobile coverage | within 100km | Yes |
| Small remote communities, incl. Aboriginal outstations | Yes, if as a general rule more than 20 adult permanent residents | Yes, if as a general rule more than 20 adult permanent residents | Yes |
Exception – where it is impracticable to do so:
- Private payphone available at call charges which are reasonable in the circumstances.
- Payphone subject, or likely to be subject, to excess levels of damage.
- High installation costs
- Health and safety risk to general public or to Telstra staff.
* costs are depreciation and maintenance costs of providing and maintaining the payphone facility
