Review: Telstra T-hub next-gen phone

By David M Williams
Monday, 26 April 2010 21:13

Mobile devices

Telstra has released its next-generation telephone system, exclusive to Telstra landline and BigPond Internet customers. iTWire has purchased one and tried it out; let us tell you what you need, what works and what doesn't.

The T-Hub wants to become a “hub” in your home – a hub for media, information, and, naturally, communications. While I don’t see its entertainment features replacing a media centre anytime soon (after all, it only has a 7” screen) there’s no doubting it is a good step towards a converged telephone and Internet solution.

First things first; the T-Hub plugs into your existing analogue landline. It doesn’t use Voice-over-IP (VoIP) and to be honest, that’s not a bad thing given this is aimed at residential customers. It will also tap in to your existing WiFi network for Internet access. Telstra cite their own services – that is, Telstra fixed line telephone services and Telstra BigPond – as pre-requisites for the T-Hub to work. I am sure you could make the unit work on other networks although with more or less features missing.

The box contains three main components. The first is the T-Hub itself with charging base. Next is a cordless handset again with a charging base. The third item is the base station for the telephone signal which is a fairly non-descript unit save for a flashing blue light. This latter item plugs into your phone line and communicates with both the T-Hub and the cordless handset.

The fact you get a base station gives extra flexibility in where you position the T-Hub in your home. It doesn’t have to be near a phone socket at all. So long as it is in range of both the base unit and your WiFi signal it will operate fine.

You can purchase the T-Hub outright for $299 which is what I did. Alternatively, you can pay for it on a repayment plan over two years.

Either way, take it home, open the box and plug it all in and you’re on your way.