Mandatory domestic roaming to be key focus of mobile coverage inquiry

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is launching a 12-month inquiry into regional mobile phone coverage, with a focus on domestic roaming and mobile infrastructure. Consumer advocates have been pushing for domestic roaming to be mandated, but are concerned the inquiry will take too long. The ACCC will release a discussion paper and hold forums in regional and remote parts of Australia.

The inquiry will also examine if providers should be required to share their radio access network, which includes infrastructure like towers and radio equipment. The ACCC's Commissioner Anna Brakey noted that there have been significant changes in the market and an emergence of satellite services that could provide direct-to-device mobile services.

Consumer groups like ACCAN, the National Farmers Federation, and the National Rural Health Alliance have been advocating for domestic roaming, with ACCAN stating that the government has the necessary evidence to mandate it. The inquiry will consider the impact of regulation on investment and competition, as well as the role of low earth orbit satellites.

Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells stated that the inquiry is timely and will complement the implementation of the Albanese government's Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO) which requires Telstra, Optus, and TPG to provide reasonable outdoor access to SMS and voice calls across Australia. Consumer advocate Kristy Sparrow welcomed the inquiry, suggesting that consideration should be given to existing congestion on towers in some rural areas and that if mandatory roaming is decided, it should come with appropriate resilience and capacity investments.