Source : Perth Now news
The consumer watchdog is launching an inquiry into mobile coverage in regional Australia, in a move that could force telcos to open their networks to everyone in need of service regardless of their provider.
Announcing the move on Wednesday, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the year-long inquiry would consider domestic roaming and a radio access network service.
Domestic roaming would plug service gaps by allowing Vodafone customers to stay connected using Telstra coverage, for example, while a radio access network would let providers share transmission infrastructure.
“The ACCC recognises the importance of mobile coverage, provider choice and network reliability, particularly for people living, working and travelling in regional areas,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.
“The telecommunications sector is changing rapidly, with new technologies creating opportunities and challenges for mobile coverage and competition.
“At the same time there are growing calls for the ACCC to intervene to regulate wholesale mobile services, particularly in regional areas.”
Noting that they were “complex and evolving issues”, she said “these matters warrant careful, considered assessment”.
Telstra, Australia’s biggest telco, is fiercely opposed to domestic roaming because it would let competitors use their extensive infrastructure instead of building their own and push up demand on its services.
“Telstra opposes mandated domestic mobile roaming,” a spokeswoman said.
“It results in worse long-term network outcomes for all Australians, especially those in regional Australia.
“It does so by weakening investment incentives and reducing customer experience and reliability through increased congestion and the risk of signalling storms.”
Optus, which has previously opposed domestic roaming, did not give a position beyond welcoming the ACCC inquiry as an “opportunity to contribute to this important discussion about the future of mobile connectivity in Australia”.
Vodafone owner TPG, however, was keener to embrace the ideas.
“As satellite-to-mobile services emerge, the focus should now be on how all technologies can work together to improve coverage and competition, without undermining the investment needed to keep building high-quality mobile networks,” a spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, Communications Minister Anika Wells hailed the “timely inquiry” and said she looked forward to “hearing the views of the ACCC, the community and stakeholders during the process”.
“No Australian should be left behind and the Albanese Government will continue working to deliver better connectivity for people wherever they live,” she said.
“The work the ACCC is doing will complement and inform the implementation of the Albanese Government’s Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO), which will require Telstra, Optus and TPG to provide reasonable outdoor access to SMS and voice calls throughout Australia.
“UOMO will be transformative in ensuring that Australians are connected when and wherever they need it most.”
