ACCC Launches 12-Month Inquiry Into Regional Mobile Roaming

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission launched a 12-month inquiry on Wednesday to evaluate regional mobile phone coverage and network reliability. The regulator is investigating whether to declare domestic roaming and the radio access network as domestic wholesale mobile services. Such a declaration would force telecommunications companies to share infrastructure, including towers and radio equipment, and allow users to access any available network when outside their own provider's coverage area.

Commissioner Anna Brakey stated that the commission recognizes the need for affordable, high-quality services for regional users, noting that the emergence of satellite services has changed market conditions since the last review. The ACCC intends to use a consultative process to ensure regulatory settings serve customers long-term.

Minister for Communications Anika Wells described the inquiry as timely, noting it will inform the implementation of the government's Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation. However, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network criticized the timeline. CEO Carol Bennett argued that the government already possesses the evidence needed to act and urged for immediate amendments to the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation Bill, citing urgent public safety concerns in regional areas.