| Southern Phone | |
| Industry: | Telecommunications |
| Predecessors: | --> |
| Successors: | --> |
| Founders: | --> |
| Hq Location City: | Moruya, New South Wales |
| Hq Location Country: | Australia |
| Areas Served: | --> |
| Products: | Home phone services, Mobile phone services, Internet services |
| Owner: | AGL Energy |
| Num Employees: | 160 |
Southern Phone (also known as Southern Phone Company) is an Australian telecommunications company. It is located at Moruya, New South Wales.[1] Southern Phone was established in 2002. It operated as an unlisted public company until December 2019. It was acquired by AGL Energy for from 35 district councils.[2]
In 2002, Southern Phone was formed by councils in New South Wales, Australia in order to extend affordable telecommunications into regional communities.[3] The company received $4.77 million in initial funding from the Australian Government's Networking the Nation scheme. Local councils were shareholders, retaining profits in the community. Councils purchased two shares for $1 each. In 2017, Southern Phone had 35 shareholders including the Upper Lachlan Shire Council, Coffs Harbour City Council and Bellingen Shire Council.[4] [5] [6]
Optus Satellite partnered with Southern Phone in October 2017 to launch the national broadband network (NBN) Sky Muster.[7] [8] Southern Phone uses the Optus 4G network, as well as parts of the Telstra 4G/3G network for its mobile services.[9] By 2018, Southern Phone had delivered over $14.8 million in dividends to local councils with shares in the company.