By MATT NICHOLLS
VITALCALL says it is prepared to check every Armidale customer’s emergency medical alarm after reports that a number had failed after being connected to the National Broadband Network.
Armidale Dumaresq councillors Jenny Bailey and Andrew Murat raised the matter with NBN Co, Telstra and VitalCall last week.
Cr Murat said he was concerned that someone could die if the issue with VitalCall and NBN was not rectified.
“I love the NBN, the whole town does, but there are some teething problems since the roll-out and we need to have them fixed,” he said.
“There have been a number of issues with VitalCall systems since they were connected to the NBN.”
Cr Bailey said she wanted a person stationed in Armidale to deal with such issues in person.
“You can be stuck on a phone for hours trying to get a result sometimes,” she said.
“We really need someone on the ground helping people, particularly the elderly, with their problems.”
That suggestion has been rejected by NBN Co and Telstra, but VitalCall said it would do everything possible to make sure their systems were working.
“After the NBN has been installed, a test alarm will be placed to the VitalCall 24/7 monitoring centre, and if necessary, VitalCall will send a technical expert on site to ensure the VitalCall system is correctly connected,” the company said in a statement.
“Customers are advised to contact VitalCall prior to signing any agreement with the retail service provider, so that we can ensure they have an NBN-compatible system.”
A representative from VitalCall, as well as NBN Co, will be at the Armidale Bowling Club today and tomorrow to speak with residents.
Session times are from 10.30am to 4.30pm and 6pm to 7.30pm.
