Step 1

Contact your medical alarm service provider.

1. Advise your medical alarm service provider that you are going to be connected to the NBN, and when you expect this to happen.
2. Ask your medical alarm service which telecommunications providers (e.g.,Telstra, Optus or another provider) will support their medical alarm.
3. Ask if there are any specific instructions you need to give to the telecommunications provider.
4. Ask your medical alarm service about when and how to test your alarm after the NBN is connected.

Step 2

Contact your telecommunications provider.

1. When you speak to your telecommunications service provider (e.g.Telstra, Optus) about the NBN, tell them you have a medical alarm.
2. Ask your provider to: Confirm that a technician from the telecommunications provider will visit your premises to install and test the NBN service, including the cabling to your alarm. It is suggested that you also ask if there will be a charge for any extra work that may be required to fix cabling issues. Confirm that the NBN connection includes a back-up battery so that it continues to work during power outages.

If the provider cannot confirm the above it is recommended that you: 1. do not enter into any agreement or contract 2. contact your medical alarm service provider for further advice.

Step 3

Information for the NBN Co and telecommunications technicians.

When the NBN Co technician arrives at your home: Tell the technician you want the NBN box to be installed in a convenient location in the premises near the incoming telephone line, (the existing exchange line).

When then telecommunications technician arrives at your home: 1. Tell the technician that you have a medical alarm and it needs to b econnected to the new service. 2. Test your medical alarm before the technician leaves the premises, (follow the testing instructions from your alarm service provider).

If you are not comfortable that your alarm is working correctly on the NBN service then, ask the technician to reconnect the telephone and alarm to the original service until the problem is resolved.

In this case, contact your medical alarm service and telecommunications provider for further assistance).

Download PERSL NBN brochure

The Personal Response Services Limited (PERSL) represents manufacturers, service providers, and consumers of Personal Emergency Response Systems, commonly known as Medical Alarms.

PERSL has been working very closely with NBN Co., and the telecommunications companies, to ensure that the transition from the old copper based network to the NBN is as smooth and trouble free as possible, for all people with medical alarms.

PERSL supports the establishment of a register of medical alarms users, administered by NBN Co.  The register is important to allow NBN Co. and the telecommunications companies to provide the best possible assistance to people who rely on medical alarms for their personal safety.

To join the medical alarm register call 1800 227 300, or complete the on-line form at www.nbnco.com.au/medicalregister .

Even if you only have a voice-only telephone service, and do not have the internet, it is important that you register.

In addition to registering, monitored medical alarm users should contact their medical alarm company well before the NBN is to be connected to their home. Their medical alarm company will assist them during the transition process, and will confirm that their alarm is working properly when connected to the NBN.

Phil Wait

Chair, Personal Response Services Limited (PERSL)

The National Broadband Network (the NBN) is planned to provide a high-speed optical fibre connection to 93% of Australians, with the remaining 7% in non-urban areas served by a lower speed wireless or satellite service.

If built as proposed, the NBN will ultimately replace the copper network and looks set to obsolete all other public fixed-line telecommunications networks in Australia.

Medical alarms supplied by PERSL members are expected to work correctly when connected to the NBN.

However the battery back-up time on the NBN is very short, and will only work for a few hours during a power failure in customer’s premises.

It is also vitally important that your NBN customer equipment is set-up correctly to work with your medical alarm, and that your selected Retail Service Provider (RSP) can support that set-up.

If the NBN is rolling-out in your area, call your medical alarm service provided BEFORE YOU SIGN ANY CONTRACT FOR THE NBN SERVICE.

Your medical alarm service provider will assist you to select an RSP that is likely to support the continued operation of your medical alarm over the NBN.