Telstra DOT Shutdown: Dates and Replacement Guide for Australian Businesses

This page explains the Telstra Digital Office Technology shutdown and how an Australian business can replace its phone service safely. It uses Telstra's published retirement terms and Australian number-porting guidance, while separating confirmed facts from practical planning advice. By the end, you will know the deadlines, what to inventory, which replacement paths fit different offices and how to prepare for the change.

What Telstra DOT is and was

Telstra DOT, short for Digital Office Technology, is a managed business communications product that bundled eligible Telstra broadband with digital voice services and associated equipment. Depending on the plan and when it was purchased, a DOT account could also include extra phone lines, call-management features, equipment repayments and backup services.DOT uses Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, which carries calls over a data connection rather than a traditional telephone circuit. It is similar to an online meeting carrying speech over the internet, except DOT presents the service through business phone numbers and office calling features.It would be inaccurate to describe DOT as having no mobile capability. Telstra's DOT terms describe a DOT Application and Telstra Business Connect that enabled eligible users to make and receive calls and manage settings on compatible devices. Telstra also published a DOT App brochure for Android and iPhone devices. Actual access today may depend on the customer's service, device and software support, so include any mobile use in the migration inventory rather than assuming it does not exist.DOT also had a Voice and Broadband Backup option that could move supported voice and data traffic to the Telstra mobile network when fixed broadband became unavailable. Whether a business has that protection depends on its plan and configuration. Internet resilience and phone resilience should therefore be checked separately.Sources: Telstra DOT customer terms, Telstra DOT product brochure.

Is Telstra DOT being shut down?

Yes. Telstra describes DOT as a legacy product being retired because of hardware limitations. The retirement applies to DOT itself, including DOT on the National Broadband Network, commonly called the NBN.This does not establish that DOT was a poor product, and it does not mean Telstra is abandoning business telephony. Telstra continues to advertise newer cloud calling and collaboration services. The immediate decision is how to replace a specific service with a confirmed end date.

Confirmed Telstra DOT dates

These are the milestones published in Telstra's current DOT terms and business-service retirement notice:

Date	Published effect
30 September 2025	DOT became unavailable to new customers. Existing customers could no longer add new services, make changes or recontract existing services. Telstra's support page also says services cannot be moved after this date.
30 August 2027	Telstra says DOT will be withdrawn from the market and no longer provided to customers. Its support page says the service will no longer operate after this date.

The first milestone has passed. A business may be able to continue using its existing configuration until the end-of-life date, but it should not plan around adding lines, moving the service or renewing it.Telstra states customers can cancel before the retirement date and billing stops when the service is cancelled. It also says charges are prorated when cancellation occurs part-way through a billing cycle. Businesses should still check their current agreement, retirement notice, equipment obligations and any remaining commercial or account charges. This is not a universal promise that every early termination, hardware or account charge has been waived.

A separate warning about TCO365

Telstra Calling for Office 365, or TCO365, has its own published retirement sequence. Telstra's current terms state that it became unavailable to new customers on 1 November 2024. Existing customers could no longer add, change or recontract services from 30 August 2026, and the service is due to be withdrawn on 30 November 2026 unless Telstra advises otherwise.Those milestones apply to the TCO365 service as Telstra describes it. They should not be restated as a separate retirement date for a particular Microsoft Teams component without an explicit Telstra source.

What happens if I do nothing?

If DOT remains your business phone service on 30 August 2027, Telstra says it will no longer operate after that date. That can affect incoming calls, outgoing calls, voicemail, call routing and DOT applications connected to the service.There is also a number-retention risk. The Australian Communications and Media Authority, or ACMA, says a number generally needs to remain active to be ported. Porting means transferring a number between telcos, much like transferring an existing mobile number to a new carrier.Do not cancel DOT before the new provider has confirmed how and when the numbers will be transferred. Once a number has been disconnected, normal porting is no longer available and recovering it may require a different process.

How do I know whether my business uses DOT?

Start with the bill and retirement notice. Look for descriptions such as Telstra DOT, Digital Office Technology or Telstra Business Internet (DOT), including the product sub-code P_0011 shown on Telstra's retirement page.Physical clues may include a Telstra Business Gateway, Telstra-provisioned office phones or a DOT call-management login. These clues are not conclusive because equipment and account structures varied over the product's life.If the bill is unclear, ask the account holder or authorised representative to obtain the service description, account number and complete list of associated numbers from Telstra. Do not rely on the name printed on a handset alone.

What should I inventory before changing?

A replacement quote is only useful when it covers the work the existing service performs. Record the following before contacting providers:

Area	What to record
Numbers	Main local number, direct numbers, fax numbers and any 13, 1300 or 1800 services
Call flow	Which phones ring, opening hours, after-hours messages, queues, diversions and voicemail destinations
People and locations	Staff who answer calls, remote workers, reception coverage and each business site
Devices	Desk phones, cordless phones, headsets, conference phones and mobile or computer calling apps
Non-phone equipment	Alarms, lift phones, door intercoms, fax machines, payment terminals and other diallers
Connectivity	NBN service, router, local network, Wi-Fi coverage and any separate internet backup
Continuity	Current DOT Voice and Broadband Backup, mobile diversions, spare mobiles, batteries and outage procedures
Commercial details	Contract, retirement notice, equipment ownership or repayments, recent bills and authorised account contacts
Compliance details	Service address and the address information used for emergency calling

Photograph equipment labels and export any accessible call-flow settings. Also save voicemail greetings and note business-hour schedules because these may need to be recreated manually.Do not assume a phone, router, fax or alarm will work with the replacement. Give model numbers to the prospective provider and, for alarms or payment equipment, ask the equipment supplier to confirm compatibility.

Can I keep my existing phone numbers?

Eligible active numbers can generally be ported to another provider, subject to account-holder verification, the new provider accepting the port and applicable porting rules. ACMA says local numbers, mobile numbers and freephone or local-rate numbers such as 1800, 13 and 1300 numbers can usually be ported.The new provider normally organises the transfer after obtaining authorisation and checking the account holder. Supply the account name and service details exactly as they appear on the current account, and include every number that needs to be retained.ACMA's current guidance says providers generally complete an individual local-number port within 8 to 15 business days. More complex ports involving multiple local numbers can take up to 30 business days, with limited exceptions. A mobile number ports much faster, usually within about 3 hours. These figures describe the port itself, not the full migration project.A complete DOT replacement also includes discovery, quotes, equipment, configuration, testing, staff instructions, contingency planning and the number transfer. Allow several weeks for that wider project, with more time for multiple sites, specialist devices or complex call handling.A 13, 1300 or 1800 number is an inbound service that routes calls to another destination. Confirm both the inbound number and its destination numbers, routing schedule and ownership or rights-of-use records. Moving the visible number without recreating its routing can leave callers going to the wrong destination.Source: ACMA guidance on keeping or porting a phone number.

What Telstra DOT replacement options exist?

There is no single replacement that fits every DOT customer. Compare options against the inventory, not against a generic feature list or an isolated per-user price.

Managed cloud phone system

A cloud private branch exchange, or cloud PBX, is an office switchboard hosted by a provider instead of kept in a cabinet at the premises. Think of it as moving the reception desk's call-routing controls to an online service.This path can suit a small office that wants desk phones, calling apps, voicemail, an automated menu and provider-managed setup. Check support arrangements, internet requirements, handset costs, number-porting fees, call inclusions, contract terms and backup options.

Microsoft Teams-based calling

Teams-based calling can suit a business whose staff already work in Microsoft Teams and mainly use computers or mobiles. Operator Connect is one arrangement in which an approved carrier connects external phone calls to Teams, similar to adding a phone carrier to the collaboration tool staff already use.This path may be less convenient for a traditional reception desk, shared phones or staff without the necessary Microsoft licences. Confirm licensing, call queues, emergency-address handling, desk-phone support and who will administer the Microsoft environment.

A newer Telstra cloud calling service

Businesses that prefer to keep Telstra in the supplier mix can evaluate its current cloud calling and collaboration services. Telstra presently advertises Telstra Cloud Calling for Business and Microsoft Operator Connect for Business within its Adaptive Collaboration range.This is evidence that Telstra is retiring particular legacy products, not leaving small-business calling altogether. Compare the full proposal with alternatives rather than assuming it is either the automatic successor or unsuitable because DOT is ending.Source: Telstra Adaptive Collaboration.

A mobile-first setup

A sole trader or very small mobile team may be able to use a business calling app, managed diversions or a simple virtual-number service instead of office handsets. This is most suitable when call volumes are modest and there is no complex reception, queue or specialist-device requirement.Check whether the setup preserves the business identity on outgoing calls, supports more than one person answering and has a workable process when a mobile is lost, flat or outside coverage.

A specialist or existing phone-system integration

A business with an existing office phone system, contact centre, analogue devices or site-specific integrations may need a provider that can connect those assets rather than replace everything at once. This requires a technical assessment because compatibility depends on the exact equipment and service design.

Do I have to stay with Telstra?

No. A DOT customer can compare Telstra's current services with other providers, provided the chosen provider can deliver the required service and accept the relevant number ports.Changing provider does not automatically remove contract or equipment obligations. Review the DOT agreement, retirement notice, hardware arrangements, final billing and the new provider's terms before authorising a change.Australian Consumer Law protects qualifying small businesses from unfair terms in standard-form contracts. A standard-form contract is a largely prewritten agreement offered on a take-it-or-leave-it basis. Those protections do not automatically erase a valid charge, and only a court can make the final decision that a term is unfair, so raise billing or contract disputes with the provider and obtain appropriate advice where necessary.Source: ACCC guidance on contracts and unfair terms.

What happens during a DOT migration?

A controlled migration usually follows this sequence:

• Confirm that the service is DOT and identify the authorised account holder.
• Inventory numbers, users, sites, call flows, devices, internet access and continuity requirements.
• Select a replacement and agree on responsibilities for hardware, configuration, porting and support.
• Build the replacement using temporary numbers where practical.
• Test incoming and outgoing calls, voicemail, opening hours, queues, diversions, 000 access and outage procedures.
• Submit the number-port request using exact account information.
• Complete the scheduled cutover and test every published number from an external phone.
• Confirm which DOT services have ceased and which account items still require cancellation or final billing.
• Update staff instructions, emergency addresses, directories, website details and supplier records where necessary.

The number port may be a short event within a much longer project. Ask the new provider what callers and staff should expect during the transfer window and what rollback or temporary-routing options are available if something goes wrong.

How to reduce downtime and migration risk

Keep DOT active until the gaining provider confirms the porting plan. ACMA instructs providers to warn customers not to disconnect an active service before porting.Build and test the replacement before moving the public numbers where the proposed system supports that approach. Test from outside the office, including after-hours behaviour, voicemail notifications and transfers between staff.Treat NBN performance as part of phone-system design. Call quality can be affected by an unstable internet connection, poor Wi-Fi, congested uploads or local-network problems. A replacement quote should state whether the provider is responsible for internet service, call service, on-site networking or some combination of them.Plan fixed-internet backup and voice continuity separately. A router with mobile data backup may keep an internet-based phone working during an NBN fault, but it does not cover a power outage, weak mobile reception, provider-platform fault or failed office network.Most NBN phone services require local power. ACMA warns that most NBN-connected services will not work during a power outage, which can also prevent a 000 call from the office phone. Keep a charged mobile available and consider an uninterruptible power supply, or UPS, which is a battery that keeps the router and phone equipment running for a limited period.Verify how the new service handles 000 and keep its registered address current, especially when users can call from different sites. ACMA notes that emergency services may use the address associated with the phone service, so a cloud phone should not be treated as if it always supplies a caller's physical location automatically.Do not assume a traditional copper line is available as a fallback. NBN migration disconnected many legacy landline and ADSL services in fixed-line areas, but official sources also describe exceptions and continuing copper voice services in some locations. Check the actual service at each site rather than relying on a single nationwide copper-shutdown date.Sources: ACMA emergency-calling guidance, NBN services that are switched off, Telstra guidance on continuing copper PSTN voice services.

Common mistakes when leaving DOT

Cancelling before the number port

Only active numbers can normally be ported. Have the new provider confirm the sequence before anyone asks Telstra to disconnect DOT.

Treating the porting time as the whole project

The ACMA timeframe relates to the transfer of numbers. Discovery, configuration, hardware, testing and contingency work make the complete project longer, so use a several-week planning window rather than promising a fixed completion date.

Comparing unlike monthly prices

DOT could combine broadband, voice, equipment, installation and optional features. A modern quote may separate internet, user licences, call paths, handsets, setup, support and backup. Compare equivalent inclusions and contract terms instead of placing an old bundled total beside a new per-user licence.

Your Next Steps

• Confirm that the account is Telstra DOT and obtain the retirement notice.
• Record the exact account-holder name, account number and authorised contacts.
• Obtain a complete list of local, mobile, fax, 13, 1300 and 1800 numbers.
• Draw the current call flow, including business hours, voicemail and diversions.
• List every handset, app, alarm, intercom, fax and payment device connected to the service.
• Check whether the current DOT setup includes Voice and Broadband Backup.
• Decide what should happen during NBN, power, mobile-network and provider outages.
• Obtain comparable proposals that separate internet, calling, hardware, setup, support and contract costs.
• Have the replacement configured and tested before the number transfer where practical.
• Do not cancel DOT until the porting and cancellation sequence has been confirmed.

Related reading:

• porting your number from Telstra to VoIP
• what to look for in a hosted PBX provider
• whether Microsoft Teams Phone is right for your business
• how long number porting actually takes
• a VoIP cutover checklist
• Best Business Phone System for Small Business AU
• VoIP vs Traditional Phone for Australian Business

Is Telstra DOT definitely being shut down?

Yes. Telstra's published terms say DOT will be withdrawn from the market and no longer provided to customers from 30 August 2027. Telstra's support page says the service will no longer operate after that date.

Can I leave DOT without an exit fee?

Do not assume that every charge is waived. Telstra says customers can cancel before the exit date and that billing stops when the service is cancelled, but each business should check its agreement, retirement notice, hardware obligations and remaining account charges.

Can I keep my existing DOT phone numbers?

Eligible active numbers can generally be ported if the new provider accepts them and the account-holder and service details pass the required checks. Keep the current service active and include every number that needs to move.

How long does a DOT migration take?

ACMA's porting figures apply to the number transfer, not the whole project. Allow several weeks for discovery, provider selection, equipment, configuration, testing, porting and contingency, with more time for complex or multi-site environments.

Did DOT support mobile calling?

Telstra documented a DOT Application and Telstra Business Connect for making and receiving calls on compatible mobile devices and computer operating systems. Confirm what is currently enabled on the specific account because historical availability does not establish current device or software support.

Did DOT have mobile-network backup?

Telstra offered Voice and Broadband Backup, and its terms describe the feature moving supported data and main-number calls to the Telstra mobile network during a fixed-broadband outage. Inclusion depended on the plan and configuration, and the feature did not remove the need to plan for power, mobile-coverage and equipment failures.

Is TCO365 a suitable temporary replacement?

It should not be treated as a continuing platform. Telstra says TCO365 stopped accepting new customers on 1 November 2024, restricted changes for existing customers from 30 August 2026 and is due to be withdrawn on 30 November 2026 unless Telstra advises otherwise.

Is Telstra leaving the business-phone market?

DOT's retirement does not support that conclusion. Telstra continues to advertise newer cloud calling and collaboration services while retiring DOT and TCO365 on their respective schedules.

Will my existing DOT handsets work with a new provider?

Possibly, but compatibility should be checked by model, ownership status and provisioning method. Do not order a replacement on the assumption that every DOT handset can be reused, and do not discard equipment until contractual and recycling obligations are clear.

Will the replacement phone work during a power outage?

Whether a replacement phone works during a power outage depends on its service design and which equipment requires mains power; most NBN-connected services will not work during a power outage. Keep a charged mobile available for 000 and confirm the replacement provider's emergency-calling and registered-address process. If your DOT service needs replacing before 2027, get a recommendation to understand the options and what information a new provider will need.