Telstra has announced that all of its more than 15,000 payphones across Australia are free to use.
Telstra chief executive Andrew Penn said this decision meant everyone could now use payphones to make a free local or national call to standard fixed line or Australian mobile phones when they needed to.
“Telstra payphones are now free phones for everyone to anywhere in Australia,” said Mr Penn.
“They are an iconic and critical part of our community, and for many Australians, the availability of a payphone is a vital lifeline, especially for those vulnerable including the homeless, people who are isolated or someone escaping an unsafe situation.
“That’s why I have taken this decision to make national calls from payphones free, because they play such a critical role in our community, particularly in times of need and for those in need.”
International calls and those to premium and satellite numbers will still incur a cost, while Telstra Air remains free to eligible Telstra customers.
Payphones will also become coinless from October 1, with Telstra phonecards recommended for dialling international and premium numbers.