Many Australian households are moving away from traditional copper landlines. With the rise of the National Broadband Network (NBN), which connects 8.65 million homes and businesses across the country as of January 2026, internet-based calling has become the standard, offering flexibility, cost savings, and modern features.
Switching to a VoIP home phone can simplify communication while improving your home connectivity. This guide explains how VoIP works, what equipment you need, costs, and why you should replace a landline with a VoIP phone.
What Is a VoIP Home Phone?
A VoIP home phone (Voice over Internet Protocol) converts your voice into digital signals that travel over the internet instead of traditional copper lines. This technology allows you to make calls with the same convenience as a regular phone but with added benefits.
Unlike landlines, VoIP home phones can be hardware devices resembling traditional phones or software-based “softphones” running on computers or mobile devices. VoIP phones are becoming increasingly popular in Australia as landline use continues to fade.
How VoIP Works on the NBN
Australia’s NBN rollout effectively replaced the old copper network. As of January 2026, 5.05 million homes and businesses can already upgrade or have upgraded from NBN’s FTTN and FTTC copper networks to full fibre.
With that comes a fundamental shift in how home phone services are delivered. Most NBN connections no longer support a traditional analogue phone line, which is why so many households are now looking to replace their landline with VoIP.
When you make a call through a VoIP service, your voice is digitised, compressed, and sent over your broadband connection to the recipient. All this happens in real time, with negligible delay when your internet connection is performing well.
What Is an NBN VoIP Phone Setup?
Getting up and running is simpler than most people expect. Here’s what a typical NBN VoIP phone setup involves:
- Modem/Router: Your existing NBN modem may already support VoIP. Many modern routers have a dedicated phone port built in.
- Compatible Handset: Most standard home phone handsets work perfectly well.
- ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter): If your router doesn’t have a built-in phone port, a small adapter connects your existing handset to the VoIP service.
- Provider Configuration: Your VoIP provider supplies the account credentials, which are entered into the router or ATA during setup.
Pair your VoIP service with a reliable NBN broadband plan, and you’ve got a complete home communications solution.
VoIP vs Traditional Landlines: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | VoIP | Traditional Landline |
| Technology | Internet-based | Copper phone network |
| Monthly cost | Generally lower | Higher line rental |
| Call features | Voicemail, call forwarding, caller ID | Basic features |
| Flexibility | Works anywhere with internet | Fixed to one location |
| Future support | Ongoing | Being phased out |
| Reliability | Dependent on internet | Dependent on copper network |
The copper network is ageing, with only 1.6% of us having just a landline. Most Australians now use mobile phones for calling and texting, and VoIP phones are also catching up.
For regional South Australian residents especially, waiting for the old network to fail before switching is a risk not worth taking. The smart move is to replace your landline with VoIP now, on your own terms.
What Equipment Do You Need for a VoIP Home Phone?
Setting up a VoIP home phone is simple and requires only a few key pieces of equipment. Having the right setup means clear calls, reliability, and access to all VoIP features. Here’s a breakdown of what you need and why it matters.
VoIP-Compatible Router
A router that supports VoIP transmits your calls clearly over the internet. It manages traffic efficiently and prioritises voice data to prevent call drops and delays.
Existing Home Phone Handset
You can often use your current home phone with a small adapter called an ATA. This allows your traditional handset to connect to your VoIP service without buying new hardware.
Dedicated VoIP Phone (Optional)
For the best experience, you should consider getting a dedicated VoIP home phone. It typically offers HD voice, improved ergonomics, and integrated features like call transfer and conferencing. This option is ideal for frequent callers or home offices.
Backup Power Considerations
VoIP home phones rely on your modem and router, so power outages can interrupt service. Using a battery backup or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) keeps your phone working during temporary blackouts.
How Much Does a VoIP Home Phone Cost in Australia?
Cost is one of the most compelling reasons Australians are making the switch. A traditional landline can cost most businesses $50–$90 per month in line rental alone, before a single call is made. VoIP home phone services typically come bundled with your internet plan for a fraction of that, often 40-60% cheaper.
Our own VoIP home phone service offers:
- Unlimited local and national calls
- Unlimited mobile calls (on select plans)
- No contract
- Australian tech support
For families who make frequent calls, seniors on fixed incomes, and anyone who’s noticed their phone bill creeping up, the savings can be significant. There’s no copper infrastructure to maintain, which means providers pass those savings on.
Why Bundle Your Home Phone and Internet Service?
Bundling your home phone and internet with a single provider simplifies everything. Getting a home phone internet bundle in SA means one bill, support team, and setup. If something goes wrong, there’s no finger-pointing between a phone company and an internet provider because your provider owns the whole solution.
For South Australian households, particularly those in regional areas where dealing with multiple providers can be a headache, this convenience comes as a major advantage. Internet and phone bundles from a local provider like RBE Internet also mean support that understands your area, infrastructure, and requirements.
Common Concerns About VoIP Call Quality and Reliability
Call quality is probably the biggest concern for those switching to VoIP phones in SA, and understandably so. The fact is, when properly configured, VoIP quality is comparable and often superior to a traditional landline.
For best results, you should
- Get a stable NBN connection with at least 25 Mbps download speed.
- Keep the router in a central location with good ventilation.
- Adjust the Quality of Service (QoS) settings on your router to prioritise voice traffic over other data.
- Use a wired connection to your router (rather than Wi-Fi) for the most consistent performance.
Most call issues trace back to router configuration or internet speed, not VoIP itself. Get those right, and you can make your calls smoothly, with no voice quality issues.
Ready to Replace Your Landline? Let’s Talk!
VoIP is now the preferred alternative for home phone service in Australia. Most households already have the broadband needed to support it, and setup is straightforward. Bundling phone and internet services can add convenience and value.
Are you looking for a VoIP home phone solution? RBE Internet can help you switch from a landline to a modern VoIP service with reliable broadband and local South Australian support.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
