The existing copper wire network will be used for carrying NBN services from metal cabinets on the street to individual homes.

Foxtel cable and satellite services will not be affected and many business services for financial transactions will remain online.

An NBN spokesman said the company would warn people multiple times that they would have to change phone services.

“The existing copper network is only deactivated in those areas receiving fibre-to-the-node service 18 months after the NBN goes live in an area,” he said.

“Residents and businesses are provided with about seven notifications of the need to switch over to NBN from the copper network within that 18-month time-frame if they want to keep a landline service.” 

The spokesperson said the roll-out of fixed-line NBN services in the Wimmera’s regional centres was still in the design or construction phase.

NBN and its contractors have scheduled to begin installing fixed-line NBN in parts of Horsham from early next year. 

“Based on the current construction schedule, deactivation of the copper network within Horsham’s city boundaries is more than two years away,” the spokesman said.

“It is also important to note that large areas of the Wimmera region can already access the NBN via our fixed wireless or satellite services.

“In these areas the existing copper service will not be deactivated.”

Copper-based landline phones scheduled for replacement can often withstand natural disasters as the basic models only need power from phone lines.