NBN Co, the company rolling out Australia's national broadband network (NBN), will provide additional support for unmonitored medical alarm users to help improve their experience when they migrate to the NBN.

The NBN will progressively replace most existing fixed-line phone and internet services. This means people may need to upgrade their unmonitored medical alarm so it continues to be able to dial out in the event of a power outage.

An unmonitored medical alarm calls a family member, friend, neighbour or 000 when triggered. It differs from a monitored alarm, which calls an alarm-monitoring centre that may have a monthly fee, or a locally monitored alarm, which calls the staff at an aged care or retirement facility.

The NBN requires power to operate and in the case of an outage, some unmonitored medical alarms that rely on a home phone line may not work as they will be unable to call a family member, friend or 000 when triggered.

Under the ‘Unmonitored Medical Alarm Upgrade Offer’, eligible people can obtain an upgraded medical alarm at a discounted price of up to of 80 per cent off the normal price – to a maximum of $300 off, from participating alarm suppliers.

To check if you, your family member or friend is eligible for the ‘Unmonitored Medical Alarm Upgrade Offer’, or to find out more about the offer, please visit nbn.com.au/alarmupgrade or call 1800 003 095.