Telstra’s Customer Access Network (CAN) radio phone system, a critical lifeline for many remote Australian households for over four decades, is being phased out, leaving hundreds of residents in rural areas facing a summer of heightened bushfire risk with unreliable communications.
While the technology has undeniably reached the end of its operational life, the decision has ignited a fiery debate among affected communities, who fear the proposed new systems simply won't offer the same steadfast reliability during emergencies. ABC News Business reported on the growing apprehension from customers concerned about their safety and ability to call for help when it matters most.
The End of an Era, The Start of Uncertainty
For residents in vast, often isolated regions across Australia, the CAN radio system has been more than just a phone line; it's been a direct link to emergency services, family, and the outside world. Operating independently of mains power for significant periods, its resilience in the face of natural disasters, particularly bushfires, has been a defining feature. Its robust nature meant that during power outages, a common occurrence in storms or fires, the CAN radio system often remained operational when other communication networks failed.
Telstra is progressively decommissioning the system, citing the increasing difficulty and cost of maintaining obsolete equipment and sourcing replacement parts. The telecommunications giant is transitioning customers to alternative services, primarily satellite or fixed-line NBN connections where available. While these newer technologies offer faster data speeds and more modern features, their reliance on consistent power supply and, in some cases, line-of-sight to satellites, raises critical questions about their performance during widespread power failures or intense fire events that can damage infrastructure.
A Perilous Summer Ahead
The timing of the decommissioning, heading into what is predicted to be another challenging Australian bushfire season, has exacerbated anxieties. Rural fire services and community groups have voiced concerns that any degradation in emergency communication capabilities could have dire consequences. The ability to make a simple phone call to triple zero during an unfolding bushfire can be the difference between life and death, enabling residents to receive warnings, evacuate, or call for help. Any system that is less resilient to infrastructure damage or power outages than its predecessor automatically places communities at greater risk.
Bushfire-prone areas often experience extended power interruptions, and without a reliable, independent power source, satellite phones or NBN connections can quickly become inoperable. This leaves residents with limited, if any, means of communication, potentially isolating them during critical moments when timely information and emergency access are paramount.
Telstra's Proposed Alternatives Under Scrutiny
Telstra maintains that significant investment is being made to upgrade and improve telecommunications infrastructure in regional Australia. The company states that customers transitioning off the CAN radio system are being offered various alternatives, tailored to their specific location and connectivity options. These include upgrades to existing copper lines for ADSL services (where still available), fibre-to-the-premises NBN connections, or satellite NBN services.
However, the real-world performance of these alternatives in disaster scenarios is what worries many. While NBN satellite services (Sky Muster) offer broad coverage, they are inherently dependent on ground infrastructure that can be vulnerable to fires. Likewise, fixed-line NBN requires a working power connection in the home for most equipment to operate, something not guaranteed when the network is out. Community advocates are calling for Telstra to ensure robust, battery-backed power contingencies and alternative communication methods are thoroughly tested and guaranteed for all affected customers, particularly those in high-risk zones, before the old system is completely dismantled.
Calls for Greater Assurance and Investment
The situation highlights a broader challenge in providing equitable and resilient telecommunications services across Australia's vast and climactically challenging landscape. Critics argue that while technological advancement is necessary, it must not come at the cost of fundamental safety and reliability for vulnerable communities. There are increasing calls for Telstra, and indeed the broader telecommunications sector, to demonstrate a clear commitment to maintaining 'last resort' communication options that function independently of grid power and are resistant to natural disaster impacts.
With hundreds of households potentially facing a silent bushfire season, the onus is on Telstra to proactively engage with these communities, address their profound safety concerns, and prove that the new systems are not just modern – but undeniably resilient when lives are on the line.
