An early pre-election promise of what could be a game-changing approach by the federal government has raised hopes of better mobile and internet coverage.

The Albanese Labor Government has pledged to provide basic universal outdoor mobile coverage throughout Australia. 

The Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO) will require mobile carriers to provide access to mobile voice and SMS nearly everywhere in the country, including over 37,000 kilometres on regional roads. 

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said the state’s peak farm body had been calling for the expansion of the Universal Service Obligation to include mobile coverage for some time, as rural communities continued to experience deteriorating connectivity.

“People in the bush shouldn’t have to be without mobile coverage when they’re working on their farms, or travelling on the roads, and so it’s our hope that these plans become reality,” Mr Martin said.

“No one should be left without coverage, especially when working alone or in an emergency, and we need to close the connectivity divide that is hurting the people here in the bush.”

Currently, Telstra receives about $270 million a year to make sure all Australians have access to voice calls under Universal Service Obligation (USO), but this legislation is only applicable to landlines and payphones not mobile technology.   

As part of their USO contract, Telstra has to maintain the copper network that provides fixed-line services across the country.  

Labor's proposed legislation would include mobile coverage in universal service framework as well.

It would use new technology such as Low Earth Orbit Satellites (LEOSats) and the Direct to Device (D2D) technology, which is able to send signals from space direct to mobile devices, to implement universal coverage.  

Labour has stated three policy objectives:  

1. Expand Triple Zero access for Australians across the nation;  
2. Expand outdoor voice and SMS coverage into existing mobile black spots; and 
3. Improve the availability of mobile signals during disasters and power outages. 

Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland was positive the plan would improve connectivity within Australia.  

"The 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.  

"The experience will be different to land mobile networks, but the benefits transformative, particularly for a large continent such as ours."  

Labour said it will work with stakeholders and industry to form the legislation, and will consider including basic mobile data in the future.  

Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Cynthia Gebert agreed that the changes would be necessary in a new digital world.  

“Mobile services are crucial for everyday life – staying connected to loved ones, working or running your business, accessing government and support services, banking, emergency service updates. We just can’t do without it.  

“Ultimately however, what we want to see is a solution that encompasses landline, mobile and internet. It makes sense for us to look at how legislation can better support the reality of our reliance on these essential services.”  

If re-elected, the Albanese Government would expect to implement outdoor SMS and voice by late 2027.  

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin.

However, Mr Martin warned there was still a long road ahead to ensuring rural Australia had the connectivity it needs.

“We know the 3G shutdown has left many people disconnected or suffering with deteriorating coverage, and it will take both new technology, as well as expansion of existing networks, to fix our mobile coverage in rural areas,” Mr Martin said.

“We look forward to seeing how the Federal Government responds to the recommendations of the latest Regional Telecommunications Review – as well as the results of Senate Inquiry into the 3G shutdown, when it’s released – so we can close this connectivity gap.

“Announcing reforms and recommendations is one thing, but real action to deliver a change in connectivity for rural and remote Australians will be another.”