Amendments allow telcos to deploy temporary facilities

The federal government has amended the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 and the Telecommunications Code of Practice 2018 to enable carriers to deploy temporary capabilities as approved low-impact facilities in certain circumstances including emergencies.

These include cells on wheels for temporary cellular network coverage, and networks on wheels which can be deployed by NBN Co to provide temporary nbn services.

“This summer’s severe bushfires demonstrated the importance of telecommunications carriers making use of their temporary network assets to provide quality services to Australian families and businesses,” said the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, Paul Fletcher.

“In the aftermath of the bushfires, when safe to do so, the telcos deployed temporary facilities to keep impacted communities connected. These changes to telecommunications regulations make it more efficient for them to do so in future and provide the telcos more flexibility to respond quickly in rapidly changing circumstances.”

The amendments will also enable carriers to continue to provide emergency services such as fire, police and ambulance services access to essential telecommunications services.

Safeguards and conditions apply to carriers deploying these types of facilities, including time limits, height limits and rules on where the facility can be located.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Juan Aunión