Telecommunications Options for Those Affected by Victorian Bushfires

Telecommunications service providers offered the following in response to those affected by Victorian Bushfires.  Consumers, however, should contact their relative telecommunications service provider for further assistance according to their circumstances.

Telstra

• Free call diversion from acustomer's fixed line to another fixed or mobile service of their choice.
• Mobile calls charged at fixed line rates; in accordance with their selected plan, for local and STD calls made on their mobile service and in situations where Telstra mobile customers have been evacuated from their homes or who have lost their service due to the fires.

To access the free call diversion or to report loss of their Telstra fixed service, customers should contact 13 22 03.

Customers whose homes have been severely damaged by the fires will, in addition to the free diversion and fixed line rates for local and STD calls made on their designated Telstra mobile service, be offered:

• Cancellation of a Telstra fixed phone service at their existing premises with free number reservation to be provided for three months.
• Free connection of a Telstra fixed phone service at one residence or business within a twelve-month period beginning from the date of the disaster.
• Cancellation of a BigPond® service at existing premises with free email address reservation to be provided for three months.
• Free reconnection of a BigPond® service at one residence or business within a twelve-month period beginning from the date of the disaster.
• A one off credit to the value of $50.00, limited to one mobile phone per household or business, for Telstra mobile customers who do not have a fixed line.

Optus

To assist our customers who have lost property as a result of the bushfires, Optus will be “zerobilling” all their services for up to three months effective immediately.

Additionally, they are offering free Mobile Prepaid handsets with $1000 value to customers who have had either their Fixed or Mobile service disrupted.

Customers should call 1300 300 937 for further assistance.