ACCC seeking views on mobile coverage and services

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is seeking views from Australian consumers and businesses as it commences public consultation for its Mobile Services Inquiry.

Launched in August this year, the inquiry is examining whether regulating access to certain wholesale mobile services would promote competition, investment and better consumer outcomes. The ACCC is considering whether to declare a domestic roaming service, a radio access network service, or both.

A domestic roaming service would allow a mobile provider’s customers to use another provider’s network in areas covered by a declaration (a regulatory tool by which a network operator would be required to provide access to other telecommunications providers if they request it). A radio access network service would allow one mobile provider to use another provider’s radio equipment to connect its customers’ phones and other devices to a mobile network.

Consumers, businesses, community organisations and other interested parties can have their say by either completing an online consumer survey or making a submission in response to the ACCC’s discussion paper. This feedback will help inform the ACCC’s understanding of competition, coverage and choice in Australia’s mobile services market.

“Whether you rely on mobile connectivity to run a business, work remotely or stay connected with family and friends, your experience can help us understand how well the market is working,” said ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey.

“We are aware of longstanding concerns about prices, service quality, coverage gaps and limited provider choice in some parts of Australia. We want to better understand these experiences, particularly in regional and remote areas.

“We are also seeking industry views on a range of competition, investment and regulatory issues relevant to the inquiry.”

The ACCC says it has not yet formed a view on whether it should declare any wholesale mobile services. It will gather evidence and carefully consider the views of consumers, businesses, industry, community organisations and government stakeholders before making any decision.

Submissions in response to the discussion paper are due on 26 November, while the consumer survey is available through the ACCC Consultation Hub until 10 December. Responses from people in cities, regional areas and remote communities will help the ACCC better understand:

• the factors that matter most when choosing a mobile service provider;
• why consumers switch between mobile service providers; and
• people’s experiences of mobile coverage, service quality and choice.
   

The ACCC is also exploring opportunities to consult in regional and remote areas to gather feedback directly about local coverage, competition and connectivity.

The consumer survey, discussion paper and further information about the inquiry, including what a declaration could mean in practice and how to make a submission, are available on the ACCC website.

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