57 specially trained Coverage Advocates are hitting the nation's highways and byways to help people move from the old CDMA network and ensure they have the right handsets and equipment to do it.
Based throughout Australia, the Customer Advocates will ensure people have the right handsets and equipment to get the best out of the Next G™ network - in some cases visiting people at their homes or businesses and demonstrating equipment.
Telstra has introduced the Coverage Advocates in response to the recent statement by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, the Hon Stephen Conroy, that he believes the Next G™ network footprint is equivalent to the CDMA network but that he wanted Telstra to put in place extra measures to help customers with handset issues.
Geoff Booth, Group Managing Director, Telstra Country Wide, said this program demonstrates how serious Telstra is about assisting CDMA customers and ensuring they have an easy transition to the Next G™ network.
"We've introduced a national network of Coverage Advocates who will proactively contact the remaining customers on the CDMA network and talk to them about how best to migrate to the Telstra Next G™ network.
"If a customer raises a coverage concern, then our Coverage Advocates can arrange to visit either their home or workplace to test the coverage and demonstrate the performance of Telstra's Next G™ mobile handsets and equipment. We think this will be particularly helpful for people like farmers, who may find it difficult to get into town." Geoff said.
The 57 Coverage Advocates will be located in the following areas:
- 6 in South Australia
- 2 in Northern Territory
- 6 in Victoria
- 17 in New South Wales/ACT
- 3 in Tasmania
- 16 in Queensland
- 7 in Western Australia
Telstra's Coverage Advocates will be calling CDMA customers from Monday to Saturday, with personal visits arranged as necessary, including after hours. CDMA customers that want to speak to one Telstra's Coverage Advocates can call their local Telstra Country Wide office.
Geoff said that as with any mobile network, coverage on the Next G™ network depends on a person's location, the handset being used, and whether that handset has an external antenna attached.
Earlier this week Telstra also launched a dedicated hotline - 1800 888 888 - and encourages customers to call this number to discuss any issues with Next G™ handsets.