Smart tech tips to keep you connected
08 May 2025
Whether you're out in the paddock, working from the shed, or managing the farm office, staying connected is more important than ever. But with patchy coverage and tricky settings, knowing how your devices work - and how to get the most out of them - can make all the difference.
Below, we’ve pulled together practical tips to help you check your signal source, make Wi-Fi calls, boost mobile performance, and even extend how long your phone rings. These are simple, farmer-friendly solutions designed to keep you connected when it matters most.
1. How do I know if my device is using the NBN or the Mobile network?
To check if you're using the NBN or the mobile network, check your device's network settings: the Wi-Fi symbol usually means NBN (unless sourced from a mobile broadband device), while a 4G or 5G symbol on your device indicates it is working from a mobile network.
It's wise to invest in connecting devices to both a mobile network and an NBN or Satellite connection as backups, in case one experiences technical difficulties, especially during a network outage or natural disaster.
2. How do I Wi-Fi call?
Wi-Fi calling is a great option when the mobile signal isn’t strong, and NBN Wi-Fi or Satellite Wi-Fi is available. Here are some instructions on how to connect your phone to Wi-Fi calling:
For iPhone:
1. Go to Settings > Mobile > Wi-Fi Calling
2. Toggle on Wi-Fi Calling on this iPhone
3. Follow any prompts to enter or confirm your address for emergency services
For Android:
4. Open the Phone app and tap More (three dots) > Settings > Calls
5. Tap Wi-Fi Calling and toggle it on Screen grab of settings process
3. Bars on your phone aren’t good indicators of coverage and signal strength, so what is?
Unfortunately, bars on your phone aren’t good indicators of signal strength anymore as each device varies with each device manufacturer. Instead, some better ways to check are:
Coverage Maps: Use online coverage maps from your carrier, like Telstra's, which allow you to enter your address and click a button to 'Maximise your signal' with a Telstra GO Repeater.
Signal Testing Apps: Install apps like OpenSignal or Network Cell Info Lite, which provide detailed signal strength and coverage data
Speed Tests: Run speed tests using apps like Ookla Speedtest to measure your actual data speeds and network performance
4. How do I extend my mobile phone ringtone?
Our friends at Telstra have shared this trick to extend your mobile phone ringtone:
You can choose for your phone to ring for 15, 20, 25 or 30 seconds before diverting the call to voicemail.
Here’s how:
1. Open the Phone app on your phone.
2. Type the following: * * 6 1 * 1 0 1 * * [15, 20, 25 or 30] # - choose either 15, 20, 25 or 30 based on how many seconds you would like your phone to ring for
3. Press the call button.
4. You should see a confirmation message that your ring time extension was successful
Technology can be tricky, and different phones work in different ways. If you get stuck, there might be a unique settings function affecting what you want to do, so reaching out to the Telstra team can be a great idea.
Click here for more information including how to extend your home phone or landline
Your tech tips are proudly supported by Telstra.
