Federal MPs, advocates call for mandated roaming to improve mobile phone reception in the bush
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Loading... - Adelaide Schneider
- 25 Jan 2023
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Telecommunication experts say unlocking regional mobile phone towers to allow universal roaming is a straightforward process that could be made possible "within weeks" if approved.
Key points:
- 1. Federal MPs are lobbying to unlock mobile towers in remote Australia
2. Telstra says mandated roaming is "too good to be true" and would drive up prices for regional customers
3. Telecommunications experts argue the technology is an easy solution to connection woes in the outback
Mobile phone towers are locked to specific telecommunication providers, meaning only customers with that provider, typically Telstra in regional areas, can use the service.
Regional federal MPs are pushing to change that, arguing unlocking towers to other providers — known as mandated roaming — would help improve social and economic outcomes in rural areas and assist in natural disasters.
"We should be opening up these towers for multi-service so if you're travelling, working or living in regional Australia you can get a phone signal," independent Member for Indi Helen Haines said.
Federal Nationals leader David Littleproud has also called for mandated roaming.
But Telstra and some bush telecommunications advocates believe the change could be a disincentive to invest in regional Australia and would do little to improve connection issues for locals. Read More…
