More Australians will be able to connect this Christmas with Telstra offering free calls from its network of 16,000 payphones.

From Christmas Eve to Boxing Day, people will be able to make free local and national calls from Telstra payphones to standard fixed lines and mobiles.

Aussies will also be able to connect to free Wi-Fi at selected locations.

Telstra says it will be especially valuable for those who are disadvantaged or feeling isolated at Christmas time.

Head of Telstra Foundation Jackie Coates tells Michael McLaren it’s a great initiative.

“[Christmas] is a time when you really do connect with your friends and your family and your loved ones and so we just want to make that a little bit easier for everybody.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview