The funding is part of the government's $2 million Alternative Voice Services Trials Program. It will aim to help Optus, Pivotel, and Telstra conduct a range of trials in rural locations across Australia.

To be a participant in the trials people need to be located in an area that uses fixed line or satellite services.

Horsham residents are therefore well placed, as the township mainly uses fixed-line services, with much of its surrounds busting satellite services.

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Regional Communications Minister Mark Coulton said people living in regional areas who want better service should consider joining the trial.

"I encourage rural people interested in trying this new technology and equipment to register their interest to take part in the trials," he said.

"To ensure that we get a service in the future that meets the needs of as many people as possible, it's imperative that this technology is trialled in a range of conditions and locations."

One of the potential solutions to the existing voice service problem includes using antennas and battery back up at participants' homes to provide them with a more robust service and better in-home call quality.

To register for the trials head to communications.gov.au/.

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