Home / Business and Economy / Australia Considers Network Roaming for Bush Residents
Australia Considers Network Roaming for Bush Residents
5 Aug
Summary
- ACCC inquiry into domestic mobile roaming to last 12 months.
- Telstra opposes mandated roaming, citing network concerns.
- Consumer advocates urge focus on implementation, not debate.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has initiated a 12-month inquiry to assess the feasibility of mandated domestic mobile roaming services. This inquiry could enable Australians, particularly those in regional and remote areas, to utilize any available mobile network signal, enhancing connectivity.
The regulatory body will also examine the possibility of a shared radio access network. Telstra, the largest mobile carrier, has stated its opposition to mandated roaming, arguing it could degrade network quality and disincentivize investment. They also highlighted existing advancements like commercial network-sharing deals and impending disaster roaming schemes.
Consumer advocates are pushing for the ACCC to focus on how roaming would be implemented. They point to the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation Bill as a potential legislative pathway. The inquiry comes weeks after a significant national outage and follows recommendations from the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review.
Other stakeholders, including the National Farmers' Federation and the National Rural Health Alliance, have expressed support for mandated roaming, emphasizing its potential to improve safety and equity in rural healthcare. TPG Telecom, a smaller network operator, views the inquiry as an opportunity to enhance coverage and consumer choice.
