With the NBN UNI-V accreditation under its belt, Internode is starting a large-scale trial of this new phone service in Willunga to identify how well these NBN-delivered services work in the real world. After completing the trial, Internode will offer fixed line phone services as part of its bundled voice/data NBN offerings after the network is launched commercially later this year.

The National Broadband Network uses distinct connections to deliver specific services, such as a UNI-D communication port to deliver Ethernet data services and a separate UNI-V port to deliver a voice telephone service, which is equivalent to today's traditional standard fixed telephone lines. Fixed line phone services on the NBN can deliver not only a phone line with a dial tone, but also have the facility for battery backup in case of a power outage.

Internode product manager Jim Kellett said Internode was committed to giving its customers a full range of choice on the NBN, from a voice-only service to a one-terabyte Internet access plan.

"We already have many customers enjoying our Voice over IP services across the National Broadband Network," he said. "Delivering an analogue-style phone service is the latest step along the NBN path for Internode, and means that customers will have even more choice.

As the first company accredited to deliver NBN's UNI-V service, Internode is now taking it into the real world to see how well this service works with the range of equipment used by our customers. These will include older phone handsets and fax machines as well as monitored security systems.

Customer feedback from this trial will provide Internode and NBNCo with valuable feedback."