Telstra to Stop Using Old Phone System

By Sophie Johnson

ABC Far North

Topic: Information and Communication

Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 6:45am

Telstra will stop using the CAN Radio by November 2027.

In short:

For over 40 years, many Australians in remote areas have used Telstra's Customer Access Network (CAN) Radio for phone services, especially during power outages.

The old phone system is too old to be fixed, so Telstra will replace it with a new satellite system by November 2027.

The new system will need customers to find their own power, which is a concern for people in remote areas.

People in remote areas are worried that the new satellite phone system will make it harder to get help during emergencies.

For over 40 years, many people in remote areas have used Telstra's Customer Access Network (CAN) Radio for home phone services.

But Telstra says the technology is old and will be replaced with a new satellite system by November 2027.

The old system had solar backup power, but the new system will need customers to find their own power.

CAN Radio towers use solar backup power.

Kate Ashton, who lives in Mount Coolon, says the backup solar power at her local CAN Radio tower helped save her daughter's life after a quad bike accident in 2014.

Her daughter had a bad head injury and needed a helicopter.

Kate Ashton is worried about the new Starlink satellite technology, especially during summer.

They can have big storms that cut off power for days, and they have to use generators.

The new Starlink system needs its own power to work.

During power outages, people in remote areas often use generators for backup power.

Amanda Clark, who lives nearby, says setting up a generator during an emergency will take precious time.

Even with a generator, it takes time to start it and wait for the Starlink system to work.

Kate Ashton, Amanda Clark, and Goscelyn Sullivan are concerned about finding reliable power for the new satellite system.

New system is more reliable, says Telstra

Telstra says the new satellite technology will be more reliable and safer than the old CAN Radio.

The company that made the old equipment does not make it anymore.

Telstra cannot find spare parts, so it is hard to fix the old system when it breaks.

Customers who have switched to the new technology say it works better than the old CAN Radio.

Telstra tested the new product before launching it to make sure it works well.

Marty McGrath is Telstra's fixed connectivity executive.

What the change will look like

Marty McGrath says there are two main options for changing to the new technology.

People with 4G or 5G mobile services will get a modem to plug in.

Others will have a satellite dish installed on their roof that connects to a modem.

The modem will have a phone plugged into it.

Customers can keep their phone number and emergency calling will still work.

There will be no cost for the new connectivity, and Telstra will support customers through the change.

Telstra also plans to stop using ADSL, the old copper-based broadband technology, by November 2027.

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Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 6:45am

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