Ruqayyah Snyder
Southern Phone Company, an Australian telecommunications company, was initially owned by local councils in New South Wales, Australia, and was established in 2002 to provide affordable telecommunications services to regional communities. The company received initial funding from the Australian Government's Networking the Nation scheme, with local councils as shareholders. However, in December 2019, Southern Phone was acquired by AGL Energy for A$27.5 million, transitioning from being an unlisted public company to being privately owned.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of establishment | 2002 |
| Location | Moruya, New South Wales |
| Type of company | Telecommunications |
| Current owner | AGL Energy Limited |
| Previous owner | 35 district councils |
| Purchase price | A$27.5 million |
| Services | Fixed line, mobile, internet, nbn®, satellite, and home phone |
| Area served | Australia, with a focus on regional communities |
| Phone selection | Mostly Samsung and OPPO phones |
| Network | Optus 4G and 5G |
| Customer satisfaction | Ranked first in Canstar Blue's customer satisfaction ratings for phone plan providers |
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What You'll Learn
- Southern Phone was established in 2002 by councils in New South Wales, Australia
- The company was acquired by AGL Energy in 2019
- Southern Phone provides fixed line, mobile, and internet services
- It offers a range of phone plans on the Optus network
- Southern Phone has received awards for customer satisfaction
Southern Phone was established in 2002 by councils in New South Wales, Australia
Southern Phone, also known as the Southern Phone Company, is an Australian telecommunications company established in 2002 by councils in New South Wales, Australia. The company was formed to extend affordable telecommunications services to regional communities. The Australian government's Networking the Nation scheme provided initial funding of $4.77 million. Local councils were shareholders, each purchasing two shares for $1 each, and retained profits within their communities.
At its formation, 35 district councils owned Southern Phone. By 2017, the Upper Lachlan Shire Council, Coffs Harbour City Council, and Bellingen Shire Council were among the company's 35 shareholders. In December 2019, AGL Energy acquired Southern Phone for $27.5 million.
Southern Phone is one of Australia's largest regionally based telecommunications companies, providing services such as nbn®, Satellite, Mobile, and Home Phone. The company offers a range of personal and business telecommunications services, with a focus on regional communities. Southern Phone has received recognition for its customer satisfaction, ranking highly in Canstar Blue's customer satisfaction ratings for phone plan providers.
Southern Phone keeps its phone plans simple, offering a selection of postpaid plans and plans with handsets. All of its plans include unlimited national calls and SMS. The company primarily offers Samsung and OPPO phones, utilizing the Optus 4G and 5G networks to reach around 98.5% of the population. Optus has committed to expanding its coverage to regional areas as part of the Australian Government's Mobile Black Spot Program.
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The company was acquired by AGL Energy in 2019
Southern Phone Company, an Australian telecommunications company, was acquired by AGL Energy in 2019. Southern Phone was established in 2002 and operated as an unlisted public company until December 2019, when it was acquired by AGL Energy for A$27.5 million. The acquisition of Southern Phone by AGL Energy marked AGL's second attempt to expand into the telecommunications sector that year, following their scrapped bid for the Vocus Group.
Southern Phone Company, located in Moruya, New South Wales, was formed by 35 district councils in New South Wales with the aim of providing affordable telecommunications services to regional communities. The company received initial funding from the Australian Government's Networking the Nation scheme, with local councils as shareholders, retaining profits within the community.
AGL Energy's acquisition of Southern Phone Company was intended to enable AGL to cross-sell broadband, mobile, and data products to its large customer base in the areas served by Southern Phone. In a statement, AGL Chief Executive Brett Redman expressed that the acquisition provided "the nucleus of a fully-blown set of offers and the ability to provide both broadband, mobile, and other products."
Following the acquisition, AGL maintained the Southern Phone brand and operations. This acquisition allowed AGL to expand its offerings and test systems for cross-selling, leveraging Southern Phone's presence in regional Australia. Southern Phone, one of the largest providers of fixed-line, mobile, and internet communications services in regional Australia, added value to AGL's expansion strategy in the telecommunications space.
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Southern Phone provides fixed line, mobile, and internet services
Southern Phone is one of the largest providers of fixed-line, mobile, and internet services in regional Australia. The company was established in 2002 by councils in New South Wales, Australia, with the goal of extending affordable telecommunications services to regional communities. Initially funded by the Australian Government's Networking the Nation scheme, Southern Phone is now owned by AGL Energy, which acquired it for A$27.5 million from 35 district councils.
Southern Phone offers a wide range of mobile phone services and internet plans to customers across Australia. The company provides competitive home wireless broadband plans, catering to those who cannot access fixed-line internet or prefer alternatives. For instance, Sky Muster is a reliable internet connection option for people in rural or remote areas, and Southern Phone provides a comprehensive selection of plans for this service.
Southern Phone's NBN plans are available across five different speed tiers, with unlimited data and month-to-month, no-contract plans. Customers can also bundle up to three services, including broadband and mobile, into one easy bill. The company's focus on regional customers means that its plans may not always be the most cost-effective compared to metro-oriented telcos. However, Southern Phone fills an important gap by providing services in areas where broadband and phone options are limited.
Southern Phone's support number is 13 14 64 for general enquiries. In 2024, the company paid a penalty of $244,000 for inadequate complaints handling, committing to an independent review of its compliance with complaints handling rules and promising improvements.
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It offers a range of phone plans on the Optus network
Southern Phone is an Australian telecommunications company that offers a variety of phone plans on the Optus network. Optus is a popular mobile network in Australia, covering 98.5% of the population with its 4G network and 80.5% with its 5G network.
Southern Phone was established in 2002 and has since become one of the largest providers of fixed-line, mobile, and internet communication services in regional Australia. The company was formed by councils in New South Wales to extend affordable telecommunications to regional communities.
Southern Phone offers its customers access to the Optus 4G and 5G networks. For customers with a compatible 5G device, Southern Phone provides access to the Optus 5G network, while those without 5G compatibility can still enjoy the benefits of the Optus 4G network.
As an Optus Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), Southern Phone can offer more affordable plans without compromising on the extensive Optus network coverage. Optus MVNOs are known for providing cheaper mobile plans while still allowing full access to the Optus network infrastructure.
Southern Phone's partnership with Optus ensures that its customers can take advantage of a wide-reaching network, enjoying reliable connectivity no matter their location within Australia. This collaboration between Southern Phone and Optus demonstrates how smaller telecommunications companies can leverage major network infrastructure to provide competitive and accessible services to regional communities.
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Southern Phone has received awards for customer satisfaction
Southern Phone is an Australian telecommunications company established in 2002 and located in Moruya, New South Wales. The company was formed by councils in New South Wales to provide affordable telecommunications services to regional communities.
Southern Phone has received awards and recognition for its customer satisfaction. Notably, the company has won the Roy Morgan Home Phone Provider of the Month Award three times consecutively, with a customer satisfaction rating of 82% in September 2019. This award recognises the company's high level of customer satisfaction and loyalty, setting a benchmark for its competitors.
The Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Awards are prestigious honours that highlight businesses with exceptional customer satisfaction, engagement, loyalty, advocacy, and NPS. These awards are industry-specific and cover various sectors, showcasing true leaders in customer service. Southern Phone's consecutive wins in this category demonstrate its consistent commitment to customer satisfaction and its position as a leader in the telecommunications industry.
Customer service awards are an important recognition for any business, bringing increased business, enhanced reputation, and validation of their efforts. They are a testament to a company's dedication to delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving improvements in their services. Southern Phone's awards for customer satisfaction reflect its strong focus on customer needs and its ability to meet and exceed their expectations.
The company's high customer satisfaction ratings are even more impressive given the overall decline in home phone usage in Australia. Southern Phone's ability to maintain high satisfaction ratings despite this industry-wide trend demonstrates its resilience and strong performance. The awards are a strong endorsement of Southern Phone's services and reinforce its position as a leading telecommunications provider in regional Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Southern Phone is owned by AGL Energy Limited, which acquired the company in December 2019 for A$27.5 million.
Before being acquired by AGL Energy in 2019, Southern Phone was owned by a group of local councils in New South Wales, Australia.
Southern Phone was established in 2002 by local councils to extend affordable telecommunications to regional communities. The sale to AGL Energy allowed the company to expand its reach and continue providing affordable services to regional areas.
No, Southern Phone offers a range of personal and business telecommunications services throughout Australia, but its main focus is on regional communities.
