UOMO legislation introduced to Parliament

New laws establishing the framework for the federal government’s Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO) were introduced to Parliament yesterday, which will require Telstra, Optus and TPG to provide access to SMS and voice coverage for Australians almost everywhere you can see the sky.

The national mobile carriers will be obliged to provide baseline outdoor mobile voice and SMS coverage across almost the entire continent through a mix of traditional mobile tower links and emerging direct-to-handset satellite technology. The government estimates that up to 5 million km² of additional outdoor coverage could be delivered under the new framework.

“No Australian should be left behind, and the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation will ensure Australians get a mobile signal almost anywhere they can see the sky,” said Minister for Communications Anika Wells.

“It will provide regional and remote communities with greater connectivity and access to essential services — and keep Australians safer by ensuring they can get emergency help when they need it.”

Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain described the legislation as a “really important reform that will improve connectivity for people in regional and remote Australia”, where mobile black spots can make it difficult to do basic tasks.

“Improved connectivity not only keeps people connected, but it means safer roads, stronger businesses, and better access to services,” McBain said.

The President of the National Farmers’ Federation, Hamish McIntyre, noted that mobile connectivity is not a luxury for farmers and regional Australians; rather, “it’s fundamental for safety, their businesses, connecting families, and staying safe in emergencies”.

“Improved outdoor mobile coverage will help put regional Australians on a more level playing field with their city counterparts,” McIntyre said. “It will boost productivity and the uptake of agtech, and keep people safer.

“This is a world-first policy. If we get it right, Australia could become the gold standard for regional communications.”

The CEO of communications consumer body ACCAN, Carol Bennett, ultimately described the legislation as a long-awaited modernisation of Australia’s universal service arrangements.

“Reliable mobile connectivity has fast become essential for work, health, safety and social participation,” Bennett said.

“With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and communities relying heavily on telecommunications during emergencies, this is a timely and necessary reform. Better baseline coverage will help keep communities safe and boost access in areas that have never had reliable mobile service.”

Bennett noted that the legislation balances the ongoing role of terrestrial networks in regional, rural and remote Australia, alongside the opportunities presented by emerging low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite services.

“We must embrace next-generation technology while maintaining the backbone terrestrial infrastructure that communities continue to rely on, and this is the careful balance struck by the UOMO Bill,” she said.

The UOMO is set to start by 1 December 2027, subject to market developments, with the government working closely with industry to monitor the rollout of the direct-to-device technology. ACCAN said it looks forward to working with the government, regulators, industry and consumer representatives on the detailed implementation of the UOMO, noting that robust performance standards, clear consumer information and adequate protections will be central to its success.

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