Telstra Smart Community
Information for developers, homeowners and occupants
Information for developers
New developments
The 2020 year saw significant changes to the legal and regulatory framework that applies to the provision of telecommunications infrastructure in new developments.
As a result of these changes, Telstra has reconsidered its involvement in this provision and will no longer provide a quote for any Application for Reticulation or enter into contracts to reticulate any New Developments.
If confirmation of telecommunications infrastructure provisioning is required prior to development approval, developers may approach the SIP for the area in which the development is located.
Voice services in new developments
Telstra remains the primary universal service provider for the delivery of voice services as required under the Universal Service Obligation (USO) and must ensure people in Australia have reasonable access to standard telephone services where they live or work. This is an obligation to individual end users. These are residents of a single house or multi-tenanted complexes/apartments and tenants of a commercial/retail premises, where those premises are the primary place of residence or business.
Telstra will meet its USO voice service obligation on an individual basis in response to a customer service request using the most appropriate technology, including potentially a fixed wireless or satellite solution. Voice service connection fees and timeframes for end users will be in accordance with Our Customer Terms.
Broadband services in new developments
The USO does not cover the provision of broadband/internet services. The new Statutory Infrastructure Provider (SIP) regime aims to ensure access to superfast broadband infrastructure and services. nbn co is the default SIP, and other carriers can also be the SIP in certain circumstances (see ACMA SIP register).
Telstra Velocity (FTTP)
About Telstra Velocity
On 24 December 2020, Telstra sold its FTTP networks in South Brisbane and the Velocity Estates to Uniti Group Limited, to be operated and maintained by their wholesale subsidiary Opticomm. Over the coming months, Opticomm will be upgrading the network and will progressively become the new network access provider. This means customers will get access to faster speeds and improved internet reliability once their premises is changed to the new network.
Opticomm will not be the retailer of services on the upgraded network, but will act as a wholesaler to other retail service providers. Like nbn, customers will continue to receive services from their preferred phone and internet provider.
The transition process is expected to commence from July 2022, given the preparatory work the parties need to undertake. You can find out more about how Telstra Velocity is changing.
If you would like to make a new application, please contact Uniti Group Limited at velocity@opticomm.net.au to initiate an application for connecting your development to their network.
Homeowners & occupants
The Velocity network provides versatile communication services for your home. For information on ordering non-Telstra services on the Velocity network, please contact your service provider.
For all enquiries about Telstra services on the Velocity network, call us on 1800 008 994
Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm AEST.
Battery back-up
The Velocity Network needs power to operate. It’s recommended you get a back-up battery so you can still make calls in a black-out, including to 000.
It’s your responsibility to keep the battery charged, working and replaced according to manufacturer's specifications.