Thousands of Samsung mobile phone users risk being out of pocket to replace devices that can't connect to triple-zero, after the federal government decided not to help.

Testing by Telstra found that more than 70 older model Samsung handsets weren't connecting correctly to the emergency number.

The telecommunications giant advised that 11 models will need to be completely replaced. The rest need immediate software updates to fix the problem.

Affected customers will be notified by email or text message about what to do next.

They have also been warned of their legal obligations, including that certain models must be replaced within 28 days or they will be blocked from the Telstra network.

Asked if there would be any government funding for people needing replacement phones, federal Emerg

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