The Albanese Government has unveiled the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO), a world-first reform aimed at providing basic universal outdoor mobile coverage across Australia. This pioneering initiative announced yesterday, will compel mobile carriers to deliver mobile voice and SMS services to nearly all outdoor areas across the nation, covering up to 5 million square kilometres and extending over 37,000 kilometres of regional roads.
PHOTO: Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain (left), with Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland (right).
This bold policy aims to enhance access to emergency services like Triple Zero, rectify existing mobile black spots, and improve mobile signal availability during disasters and power outages. The deployment of this initiative is made possible through advancements in Low Earth Orbit Satellites (LEOSats) and Direct-to-Device (D2D) technologies, enabling mobile devices to receive signals directly from space.
The government plans to introduce legislation in 2025, with an expected rollout by late 2027. However, many Australians could experience improved access earlier. Although initial efforts focus on voice and SMS, considerations for basic mobile data will follow as technology evolves.
Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, stated, “Labor governments have consistently expanded universal access to essential services. The UOMO will significantly enhance public safety and infrastructure resilience, addressing areas previously deemed too challenging or costly to reach.”
Kristy McBain, Member for Eden-Monaro, highlighted the initiative’s impact on her constituency, “Eden-Monaro is over 42,000 square kilometres – with a number of known coverage issues, which is why the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation is great news for our community. because it will provide another layer of outdoor coverage during emergencies – whether that’s in our national parks, on our hiking trails, or out on the farm.”
PHOTO: Deep pockets of black-spot bushland in Eden-Monaro could soon be connected through LEOSats and D2D technologies.
“Reliable connectivity is crucial for businesses, emergency services, and maintaining social connections. Since taking office, the Albanese Government has invested $8.5 million in 13 mobile base station improvements in Eden-Monaro, with projects like the Jerangle upgrade completed last November.”
Liberal candidate for Eden-Monaro Jo van der Plaat said she experiences a number of emails weekly complaining of ongoing blackspot issues.
“As a candidate, I get to witness first hand driving around this electorate, just where they are, where they’ve always been and never fixed.”
“Labor claims that this will provide mobile coverage almost everywhere, but fails to detail which areas will miss out or most importantly, the cost. Labor have failed to declare how much the Mobile Obligation commitment will cost and who will have to pay for it.”
“The people of Eden-Monaro have been smashed by Labor’s cost of living crisis, and they are rightly concerned about the prospect of higher mobile bills, without any detail.”
The government plans to conduct a National Audit of Mobile Coverage to better pinpoint black spots and guide future investments. These efforts complement existing co-investment programmes like the Mobile Black Spot Program, enhancing terrestrial mobile network coverage and resilience.
The UOMO is not a replacement for traditional networks but an additional layer of connectivity, significantly benefiting Australians during emergencies. Federal Labor advised there will be comprehensive engagement with stakeholders aimed to ensure that the implementation of UOMO will be both effective and responsive to public needs, such as which devices are compatible.
This transformative effort could be the first step in fostering a future where rural and isolated areas like Eden-Monaro finally have access to greater safety and connectivity.