If Australians do not opt in to the national broadband network (NBN) as it is rolled out they will lose their fixed-line phone service unless they pay a one-time fee of about $300.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has said repeatedly that he would not be forcing homes on to the NBN, however, if consumers want to keep their fixed-line telephone service once Telstra has decommissioned its copper network, then they will need to connect to the new network.

Sign here if you want to keep your fixed-line telephone.

Although the government is covering the installation costs now, those who decline to allow NBN Co on to their property will need to pay up to $300 to connect to the NBN at a later date, according to ISP iiNet chief regulatory officer Steve Dalby.

In Tasmania, the only place currently where the NBN is live, of the 4000 homes that were initially offered access, only 45 per cent consented to having the free box and fibre installed, according to The Mercury.