NBN sets up medical alarm register

Medical alarm devices running on copper phone lines will stop working unless they are transferred to the National Broadband Network, NBN Co says.

The company announced a register on Friday to identify households with medical devices that may need extra assistance making the switch to the new network.

Alarms and devices running on the copper lines are not transitioned automatically.

When the national copper line switch-off begins in 15 communities on May 23, devices not migrated to the NBN infrastructure will stop working.

People who rely on medical alarms have been urged to contact their preferred service provider as soon as possible, as have businesses that rely on security alarms.

Nan Bosler, the president of the Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association, urged people who use a medical alarm to begin the transition process now.

"I would also advise seniors to use this as an opportunity to get themselves online and experience the benefits of fast broadband," she said.

Services affected by the copper disconnection include landline phones, ADSL and Telstra cable internet services, fire alarms, medical alarms and pendants, elevator phones, EFTPOS and ATM machines, teletypewriters and fax machines.