Major telcos to provide nationwide mobile coverage under new legislation
New laws will force major telcos to provide mobile coverage across 5 million square kilometres of Australia, ensuring emergency help reaches remote areas by 2027.
Farmers and remote communities will gain a safety lifeline as the federal government mandates network carriers deliver mobile signals across the country.
The new laws, introduced to parliament on Thursday, established the framework for the Albanese Government’s Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation, which would require national mobile carriers Telstra, Optus and TPG to provide access to SMS and voice coverage for Australians nationwide.
It is expected the changes will help add up to five million square kilometres of basic outdoor mobile SMS and voice coverage across the country.
National Farmers’ Federation President Hamish McIntyre said mobile connectivity was a vital lifeline for farmers and those in rural and remote communities.
“Mobile connectivity isn’t a luxury for farmers and regional Australians, it’s fundamental for safety, their businesses, connecting families, and staying safe in emergencies,” Mr McIntyre said.
“Improved outdoor mobile coverage will help put regional Australians on a more level playing field with their city counterparts.”
Should the policy work, Mr McIntyre said Australia could become a world leader in regional communication technology.
“It will boost productivity and the uptake of agtech, and keep people safer,” he said.
“This is a world-first policy. If we get it right, Australia could become the gold standard for regional communications.”
Minister for Communications, Anika Wells said the UOMO would ensure Australians could access mobile signal “almost everywhere you can see the sky.”
“No Australian should be left behind and the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation will ensure Australians get a mobile signal almost anywhere they can see the sky,” Ms Wells said.
“It will provide regional and remote communities with greater connectivity and access to essential services – and keep Australians safer by ensuring they can get emergency help when they need it.”
It will be made possible by a combination of existing terrestrial towers and new Low Earth Orbit Satellite technology, which allows for mobile signals to connect Direct to Device rather than relying on land-based infrastructure like mobile towers.
The UOMO will start by 1 December 2027 subject to market developments, with the Government working closely with industry to monitor the rollout of new Direct to Device technology.
It comes more than a year after Cape York residents voiced concerns over remote communication coverage after communications company Pivotel, which is connected to satellite company Thuraya, stopped services following a Force Majeure Event.
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Originally published as Major telcos to provide nationwide mobile coverage under new legislation
