--- title: "Your home phone, power cuts and 111" url: https://wombatnet.co.nz/111-contact-code/ date: 2026-10-28 modified: 2026-10-28 lang: en author: "Alex Stewart" description: "The short version. If you have a home phone with us, it runs over your internet connection, so it stops working when the power goes out. If someone in your..." image: https://wombatnet.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/111-Contact-Code-Blog-Header-Wide-selection-1024x512.png word_count: 550 --- # Your home phone, power cuts and 111 **The short version.** If you have a home phone with us, it runs over your internet connection, so it stops working when the power goes out. If someone in your home is at particular risk and has no other way to call 111 in a power cut, we'll supply a backup at no cost. Apply using the form below. ## What stops working in a power cut A WombatNET home phone runs over fibre, WombatWireless X or WombatWireless 4G+. All of these need mains power at your house for the router, the fibre box or the dish. When the power goes, so does the home phone. Some devices also stop: - cordless phones, because the base station needs power - medical or security alarms that connect through your home phone or internet, unless they have their own battery backup ## Other ways to call 111 in a power cut - a charged mobile phone, if you get coverage at home - a battery backup (UPS) that keeps your router and phone running - a monitored medical or safety alarm with its own battery and mobile connection Keep your mobile charged, and check you can make a call from inside the house. Plenty of rural homes have patchy coverage indoors. ## Who can get a free backup You qualify as a vulnerable consumer under the 111 Contact Code if both of these are true: - someone in your home is at particular risk of needing to call 111 because of their health, safety or a disability, and - you don't have any other way to call 111 that will keep working for at least 8 hours in a power cut. It can be a permanent or temporary situation, such as recovering from surgery or a protection order. The person at risk doesn't have to be the account holder. To show you qualify, you can either send us evidence, such as a letter from a health practitioner or a copy of a protection order, or give us the details of someone who can confirm it for you, such as your GP, a registered social worker, a lawyer or a police officer. ## What we'll do - Within 10 working days of getting your complete application, we'll tell you whether it's accepted. If it's declined, we'll tell you why and what you can do next. - If it's accepted, we'll supply and install a backup that suits your situation as soon as we can. You won't pay anything for it, including installation, upkeep or replacement. - We'll check in once a year to make sure it still works and still suits you. We will never refuse or cut off your home phone because someone in your home is, or might become, a vulnerable consumer. ## Apply for a free backup Fill in the 111 Contact Code application form below. It's the form you use to ask us for a free backup. You can also [download it as a PDF](https://wombatnet.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/WombatNET_111_Contact_Code_Application_Form.pdf) and email it to [111@wombatnet.co.nz](mailto:111@wombatnet.co.nz), or ask us to post you a copy or a large print version. If a form isn't easy for you, call us on [0800 424 281](tel:0800424281) and we'll take your application over the phone, or someone can apply on your behalf. 111 Contact Code application Updates Use this form to ask for a free backup so someone in your home can call 111 in a power cut. It takes about 10 minutes. If you'd rather apply by phone, call [0800 424 281](tel:0800424281). ### 1. Who is filling in this form? --- Who is filling in this form? I'm applying for myself I'm applying for someone else ### 2. Your details --- Full nameRelationship to the person at riskPhoneEmailPostal address ### 3. The person at risk --- Full namePreferred nameWombatNET account numberIt's at the top of your bill. If the person isn't the account holder, use the account number for the address.Address where the home phone isPhoneMobileEmailPostal address, if differentHow should we contact you about this? Phone Mobile Email Post ### 4. Why they're at risk --- Which best describes it? Health (for example, a medical condition) Safety (for example, family violence) Disability (for example, a physical impairment)You don't need to tell us the diagnosis or details. We only need enough to confirm you qualify.Is it permanent or temporary? Permanent TemporaryIf temporary, about how long? ### 5. Supporting information --- How would you like to support this application? I'll send evidence Someone can confirm it for meDescribe what you're sendingEmail your evidence to [111@wombatnet.co.nz](mailto:111@wombatnet.co.nz) with the person's name and account number in the subject line. Examples: a letter from a health practitioner, an MDC (medically dependent consumer) notice, a protection order, or documentation of an impairment. Full nameOccupationOrganisationPhoneEmailThis needs to be someone whose job means they can confirm it, such as a GP or other health practitioner for health or disability, or a police officer, registered social worker or lawyer for safety. I authorise WombatNET to contact this person to confirm that the person named in section 3 is, or will become, at particular risk of needing 111. If I'm applying for someone else, I have their permission to do this. ### 6. Other ways to call 111 --- Is there any other way to call 111 from the house that would keep working for 8 hours in a power cut, such as a mobile phone with good coverage inside, a battery backup or a monitored alarm? Yes No Not sureAnything we should know about what would suit you?For example, hearing or sight needs, or where in the house a phone needs to be. ### 7. Before you send --- To the best of my knowledge, the information on this form is correct. The person named in section 3 is, or will become, at particular risk of needing 111, and the home has no other way to call 111 that would keep working for 8 hours in a power cut. I understand that if WombatNET offers a suitable backup and I turn it down, my application may be treated as withdrawn. I can apply again at any time. I understand how my information will be used, as set out below.Full name**How we use your information.** We use this information only to assess your application, provide and maintain your backup, and meet our obligations under the 111 Contact Code. We store it securely and keep it for 5 years after your application is decided or your service ends, as the Code requires. Only the people who handle your application can see it. We only share it with the person you've nominated, a contractor who installs your backup, or the Commerce Commission if it asks, and we never share health details beyond what is required by law. You can ask to see or correct your information at any time by emailing [hello@wombatnet.co.nz](mailto:hello@wombatnet.co.nz). Send application ## Questions or complaints Contact us first on [0800 424 281](tel:0800424281) or [111@wombatnet.co.nz](mailto:111@wombatnet.co.nz). You can also contact the Commerce Commission at [comcom.govt.nz](https://www.comcom.govt.nz/).