Improving regional phone coverage at the heart of new ACCC inquiry

FNQ communications

Shaun Hollis

Senior Journalist

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There is an inquiry taking place into whether other phone companies will be made to provide regional phone services if your provider's signal is too weak. Picture: Shaun Hollis

The chances of improving the phone coverage in Far North Queensland have increased after Australia’s consumer watchdog last week launched an inquiry into mobile roaming.

The year-long Australian Competition and Consumer Commission inquiry will “examine regional mobile coverage across Australia” to work out if mobile providers will be made to give other providers access to their phone networks if the signal is too weak on your own service.

This has major implications for phone users in regions such as FNQ who choose to pay more for some service providers because their coverage is better.

ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said there were growing calls for intervention to regulate wholesale mobile services, particularly in regional areas.

“The ACCC recognises the importance of mobile coverage, provider choice and network reliability, particularly for people living, working and travelling in regional areas,” Commissioner Brakey said.

Consumers expect and need affordable, reliable and high-quality services. Businesses and investors need confidence to make efficient investments.”

Both Europe and North America have domestic roaming, where a mobile phone will automatically connect to another provider when the signal is too weak.

“We consider that now is the right time to examine these issues, recognising there are a range of views on the best way forward and that these matters warrant careful, considered assessment,” she said.

The inquiry will consider issues such as: how mobile coverage and consumer needs are changing; the state of competition in the supply of mobile services; whether phone users have meaningful choice between mobile providers; how regulation could affect investment in mobile networks, and; the role of new satellite services such as Starlink and their potential impact on investment, competition and consumer outcomes in the Australian market.

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