Any Cheap VoIP Providers for Low Call Volume Residental?

Chris McMahon on 23/10/2025 - 18:11

I'm getting pissed off with Telstra's high prices and want to go elsewhere. The issue is that I've got a VOIP line as part of the internet package. $113/month with VOIP (all local, nation & mobile call included), 500/50 HFC NBN.

I only make maybe 10-20 calls a month, but most of those are 5-10m long to mobiles, a few local and national and a few LONG (hours) 13 numbers (Centrelink, MyAgedCare etc). I also need to keep my (07) number.

I've looked around at different VOIP providers and it seems if I want to include mobile calls, they all start at around $20/m just for the line, plus another once off ~$70 for a ATA to connect my phone.

Finding another ISP, then paying another $20/m on top for the VOIP makes the price of leaving Telstra not really worth it.

Am I missing any value options here?

Computing Telephone Call VoIP

Comments

  • Hybroid on 23/10/2025 - 18:21
    +2

    Is there a specific reason why a mobile plan doesn't cover your calling needs? Many of them have unlimited calls.

    • Chris McMahon on 23/10/2025 - 22:52
      +1
      1. A mobile plan will not allow me to keep my (07) number.
      2. A mobile plan needs a mobile phone, ie is single user. I need a line for multiple users and handsets. I have a 4 handset DECT analogue phone system.
      3. I live in a poor mobile signal area, I need to stand in my driveway or yard to make a call.
      4. I need a phone my father with dementia can use, which is a desktop analogue phone we've had for >15 years and he already knows how to use.
      • geekcohen on 24/10/2025 - 05:59

        A mobile plan will not allow me to keep my (07) number.

        Could divert it to your Mobile

        I live in a poor mobile signal area, I need to stand in my driveway or yard to make a call.

        But there is WiFi Calling. I have poor phone service where I am or sometimes no service, but Starlink and WiFi Calling = no problem.

        A mobile plan needs a mobile phone, ie is single user. I need a line for multiple users

        Not really. Some business run off a mobile phone and its just in 1 spot for them to use/answer.

        I need a phone my father with dementia can use, which is a desktop analogue phone we've had for >15 years and he already knows how to use.

        Sorry to hear and not sure how far along he is, but maybe not having a phone available is a good idea? My grandmother has dementia and early on when she was involved with the phone calls she would answer and she would make all sorts of stuff up. So maybe not having a landline available could be a good idea.

        My grandparents moved away from a Landline to a Mobile and that would've been probably 10 years ago (with the whole NBN transition). It was a bit of a challenge at first, but they are now almost 90 and are texting people! A cheap Optus Prepaid on a iPhone and they do a great job.

        • ATTS on 27/10/2025 - 09:26

          Is it also possible to divert an payg lineline to mobile phone?

          Also can you also keep the number the landline diverts to private?

  • omguleh on 23/10/2025 - 18:31
    +1

    CrazyPhone has a free plan where you pay for what you use.

    • tenpercent on 23/10/2025 - 19:24
      +1

      a free plan where you pay

      That is crazy.

      • ginger-gin on 24/10/2025 - 12:23

        CrazyTel… abt to say

  • thisusernameistaken on 23/10/2025 - 19:06
    +2

    Other providers are offering 500/50 NBN for around $80 / month without VoIP.

    So even if you were paying $20 / month elsewhere for VoIP, you're still getting a better deal than staying with Telstra.

    My recommendation is to separate VoIP and NBN and to have two separate providers. That way you can churn to different NBN providers and get new customer deals without having to port your phone number each time.

    CrazyTel offers a PAYG plan (pay for your usage) or an $8 / month plan for unlimited local, national and mobile calls

    https://www.crazytel.com.au/residential/voiphomephone

    9c per local / national call
    5c per minute for a mobile call
    25c per call to 13/1300 numbers

    I estimate that based on your usage, your total cost for calls is going to be less than $10 a month with CrazyTel. The savings you make by switching away from Telstra will pay for the ATA in a few months.

    So yeah definitely move away from Telstra.

    • Chris McMahon on 23/10/2025 - 23:31

      CrazyTel offers a … $8 / month plan for unlimited local, national and mobile calls

      That sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. I'll look into them.

    • AustriaBargain on 24/10/2025 - 00:59

      Superloop has gigabit non for $85. Could probably do thousands of HD audio conversations at once.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 23/10/2025 - 19:09

    It's time. Get a mobile phone. Learn to use Services Australia online.

    That's the value and timing saving option you're missing.

    • boomramada on 23/10/2025 - 23:01

      Outdated tech, voice quality isn't the best, and most hardware doesn't even support it anymore.

  • Clickbait on 23/10/2025 - 19:30

    Try Siptalk. Been around for a long time

  • Dmebihet on 24/10/2025 - 09:25

    Aussie Broadband is $95 for equivalent speeds plus $10 a month to add on home phone with
    Unlimited national/mobile calls across Australia.
    Inclusions
    Unlimited in-network calls
    Unlimited local calls
    Unlimited interstate calls
    Unlimited mobile calls
    35c per 13/1300 call
    Or PAYG option with no monthly charge

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