The UOMO framework will establish a baseline outdoor mobile coverage obligation for mobile network operators, including through emerging satellite-to-mobile technology.
Dr Haines’ amendment will require the minister to explain why particular locations are excluded from the obligation and the expected impact on those communities.
“Reliable mobile coverage is essential infrastructure for regional Australia, and I’m pleased to have secured this important transparency measure,” Dr Haines said.
“If the government is creating a universal obligation, but allowing some places to be excluded, people deserve to know why.
“That matters enormously in regional communities like those across Indi, where difficult terrain already makes reliable coverage challenging and where communities face significant bushfire and flood risks.
“My amendment means the government will have to explain its decisions and the impact they will have. That information will help to keep the government accountable as technology evolves in future.”
Dr Haines also moved amendments to strengthen the bill’s protections for regional consumers, including by defining equitable access to include affordability and accessibility, improving service restoration standards following outages, and enabling the government to require temporary disaster roaming during emergencies.
Those amendments were not supported by the government.
Dr Haines said she would continue working with the government to ensure UOMO delivered better connectivity for regional Australians.
“Universal mobile coverage should mean just that — and I’ll keep pushing to make sure regional Australians aren’t left behind,” she said.
