Mandate domestic mobile roaming and strip telcos of Triple Zero, inquiry recommends
A Senate inquiry report into last year’s Optus outage provides the government with a blueprint to modernise the telco industry.
A Senate inquiry into the September 2025 Optus national outage, which left many people unable to call Triple Zero and resulted in multiple deaths, has recommended significant changes to Australia's telecommunications industry. The final report, backed by both Labor and Coalition members, urges the government to overhaul existing regulations and create a new telecommunications act tailored to the modern world.
Key recommendations include removing Telstra's control over the Triple Zero system, granting a new statutory authority oversight responsibilities, mandating domestic roaming, and allowing text messages to Triple Zero. The inquiry also calls for improved reliability and performance standards, automatic compensation for outage-affected customers, and an independent review of the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
The report's bipartisan support highlights the urgent need for reform as telecommunications technology continues to evolve.
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