Southern Phone is an unlisted public company, which expects to begin offering low cost long distance, fixed to mobile, and international calls in October this year. Its headquarters will be in Moruya.

Steering committee chair Sue Whelan said the newly announced Board of Directors would bring a wealth of knowledge and business experience to the fledgling company.

"They will guide the company as it strives to deliver community economic and social benefit through cheaper and better telecommunications," Ms Whelan said.

"All directors have strong ties to the region and strongly support the concept of providing services for community benefit rather than maximising profit.

"Their experience ranges from large agribusiness to the energy industry, running the nation's biggest media organization, local government and the IT industry."

Former ABC managing director Brian Johns and former Integral Energy chairman Bill Hilzinger have been appointed to the seven member board, along with Moruya businessman and South East Area Consultative Committee chairman Greg Malavey.

The other directors of Southern Phone are Wollongong City Council general manager Rod Oxley, APIR Systems Pty Ltd director Andrew Riley and Australian Apple and Pear Growers Association vice chairman Darral Ashton.

The company's interim chief executive officer and seventh board member is Phil Herrick, who has been Eurobodalla Shire Council's business development manager and, in that role, developed the Southern Phone concept.

Two $1 shares in Southern Phone will be sold only to each local council in the region. Profits from the company will be returned to the shareholding councils for community benefit.

Eurobodalla, Kiama, Wollongong, Tallaganda, Camden, Gunning, Yass, Cooma-Monaro, and Shellharbour councils have already voted to join the Southern Phone Company. Another 13 are eligible and are expected to follow suit.

The Southern Phone Company Project is supported by the Federal Government through its Networking the Nation Program.