Phone lines jammed as homebound Aussies swamp networks

Phone lines have been jammed across the country as the coronavirus shutdown grips the nation.

Telstra has been hit by a 200 per cent surge in the number of calls, and line congestion is affecting Optus too.

But Telstra blames the government for asking people to call Centrelink, where they're left waiting on hold.

Meanwhile, schools are preparing to work online and more Australians are working from home.

The pressure on the network is about to be greater than ever.

Telstra consumer and small business executive Michael Ackland said the network was capable of dealing with the pressure.

"It's a very resilient network," he said.

But in the past 24 hours there has been a wave of complaints, with calls unable to go through.

Added to that, wi-fi and wireless broadband networks have slowed, and it could get worse.

Tech expert Charlie Brown said next week it could be "a whole different board game".

To help, the NBN is offering more capacity on its network to retailers – what Mr Ackland called "potentially a year's worth of data growth" – in the next few weeks.

Telecommunications companies can ease the strain on the network by moving customers from 4G to 3G and reducing definition on streaming services, to preserve the network.

But what's coming is the biggest test the network has ever faced, and staying connected will be a lifeline.