Labor's Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO) will require mobile carriers to provide access to mobile voice and SMS almost everywhere across Australia.
UOMO will ensure up to 5 million square kilometres of new competitive outdoor mobile coverage across Australia, including over 1,600 square kilometres across the Somerset region and rural Ipswich areas.
Whether it’s in national parks, hiking trails or out on the farm, outdoor coverage will be accessible almost anywhere where Australians can see the sky.
The aim of this policy is to:
- expand Triple Zero access for Australians across the nation;
- expand outdoor voice and SMS coverage into existing mobile black spots; and
- improve the availability of mobile signals during disasters and power outages.
This reform is only possible due to the transformative Low Earth Orbit Satellites (LEOSats), and the arrival of Direct to Device (D2D) technology, which enables signals from space direct to mobile devices.
A re-elected Albanese Government will consult and introduce legislation in 2025 to expand the universal service framework to incorporate mobile coverage for the first time.
This will benefit areas in the Somerset region including Mount Stanley, Monsildale, Jimna, Kingaham, Avoca Vale, Mount Byron, Linville, Biarra, Sheep Station Creek, Sandy Creek, Colinton, Harlin, Mount Kilcoy, Lake Manchester, Hazeldean, Moore, Westvale, Eskdale, Buaraba, Ivory Creek, Dundas, Crossdale, Redbank Creek, Mount Archer, Bryden and Banks Creek and in Ipswich parts of Mount Mort and Peak Crossing.
Implementation of outdoor SMS and voice will be expected by late 2027, with many Australians likely to obtain access before then.
Basic mobile data will be considered in the future as technology roadmaps and capacity considerations develop.
Only the Albanese Labor Government has a plan to build Australia’s future, including delivering $3 billion to complete the building of the fibre NBN.
The Government remains committed and will continue to evolve its existing co-investment programs like the Mobile Black Spot Program and Mobile Network Hardening Program to expand terrestrial mobile coverage, resilience and capacity.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
“Labor governments have a proven record of expanding universal access to essential services, and the Albanese Government is forging another step forward.
"Our Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation will improve public safety, increase resilience during natural disasters, and provide an extra layer of coverage in areas previously thought too difficult or costly to reach.
“Building our mobile future with the latest technology is a vital element of Labor's plan to make Australia the most connected continent by 2030.
Quotes attributable to the Member for Blair, the Hon Shayne Neumann MP:
“Locals in my community know just how important access to mobile coverage is, particularly during natural disasters and power outages.
“This ambitious reform will mean that rural areas in Blair won’t get left behind and will be able to reach vital emergency services.
“With more than 25 localities in the Somerset region and parts of Mount Mort and Peak Crossing in Ipswich set to receive expanded coverage, I look forward to our community – and indeed almost all of Australia - feeling safer, more resilient and more connected for years to come.”
