I can't see what the problem is if those that can't afford it are excempt. Telstra should not be charging for billing no matter what. It should be a part of their service. 

I pay electronically, but still like to see a paper bill.... I have been getting the penioner discount for years.

I to pay on line but I like to get a paper bill as I keep them for 7 years.

I have been getting the pension discount for many years too.

If Aged Pensioners are being exempt from these new charges just how is Telstra discriminating against older Australians, other than possibly the wealthy ones who do not get a pension?? A very silly article.

We all have to move with the times, eventually, if possibly reluctantly.  And if one receives phone bills electronically and wants to keep a paper copy for some reason, one can always print one off.  Why waste money posting pieces of paper around the country?

Electronic communications are much quicker, more efficient, far more environmentally responsible and we should all use them, unless there is a very good reason why not, eg having some kind of disability.  And it would appear Telstra have had that covered by their exemptions to the fee for many years.  

So I don't think there should be much debate about this one.

I've been with Telstra for 3+ years and have never received any pensioner discount.

I was told at the time of signing up that there is no pension rate because I bundled phone/internet/mobile.

So as far as I know, Telstra does not give any special rates for pensioners when you signup for a bundle and, in fact,  you loose the home phone discount and pay the full rate with no pensioner discount. 

Have I got it right? Telstra does not have pensioner rates for internet and/or mobile services?

Man, if you are one of those tragics still using Telstra then you deserve every little piece of shit they throw at you !

I get an email bill I can print this and file it as a paper copy. I pay through Bpay which is quite simple once you have regisred  through your bank. THis is the simplest for me. You can use a computer or a tablet or a phone. I am comfortable with this but some people aern't.

Bluetrain

You are right D'Arcy.  I checked my account and although I do get a discount it is not a pensioner one.

I get a a pensioner discount with optus for my internet bundle.

There is no discount for bundled services however pensioners are exempt from the $2 paper bill fee. be careful if you query anything on your account because his will often result in the $2 charge being set up on the account. It will take many many calls to get it cleared off. It took 5 months of being told we will credit the $2 (which they did) but each new bill showed a credit and a charge. Very frustrating indeed.

I am with Westnet for internet and landline.  Our account is debited each month and it is easy to go to their website and see every phone call we make.   I notice that my bill is a cheaper since I switched over to them from Telstra.  Don't seem to have those 1 second phone calls which would pop up regularly and I had no way of knowing if they were legit or not. 

My mobile is with Telstra and I pay $70 a year for what is called "Pre-Paid Long Life" and it suits us down to the ground as we make few mobile calls.

Hubby has a phone with the same set up.   

Have had it for years and if you dont use up all the $70 you can roll over as long as you pay the $70 the day before the expiry.  I have $400 on mine still so you can see how often I use it  lol.  You are only allowed to hold up to $500 on it.

Hubby still has $40 left on his phone which needs to be recharged on 31 January.  He can use mine if he running low but I doubt he will even use the $40.

I have tolds lots of people about this Pre Paid Long Life but few have taken it up.  If you only want it for emergencies it is great.  My sis in law pays $20 a month and rarely uses it all and loses the credit.  Cost for her works out at $240 a year.