The Labor government has unveiled an ambitious telecommunications reform aimed at enhancing mobile phone coverage across Australia. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland introduced the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO) as part of their agenda ahead of the federal election. This initiative seeks to ensure that mobile service providers improve access to SMS and calling capabilities over nearly every square kilometre of the nation.
The UOMO plan aims to extend outdoor mobile service across an additional five million square kilometres, including regional parks and hiking routes—essentially anywhere outdoor visibility exists. If implemented, this reform will also enhance coverage along over 37,000 kilometres of rural and regional roads. Areas currently experiencing poor phone reception, especially in regions like the Northern Territory and Queensland, will benefit significantly from this proposal.
Under this initiative, mobile coverage will improve significantly on key highways, such as New South Wales’ Barrier Highway and the Great Northern Highway in Western Australia. The advancements in coverage capabilities stem from innovations in low Earth orbit satellites (LEOSats) and direct-to-device (D2D) technology, which enable signals to be transmitted directly from space to mobile devices.
Rowland emphasised that one of the central objectives of UOMO is to guarantee reliable access to emergency services, particularly the triple zero hotline, which currently receives around 78% of its calls from mobile devices. The goal is to ensure that every emergency call can be made without interruption, especially during disasters or power outages.
Labor intends to present the proposed legislation to parliament in 2025, marking a historic expansion of Australia’s universal service framework to encompass mobile coverage for the first time. If all goes according to plan, Australians can expect this enhanced SMS and voice coverage by late 2027.
Rowland highlighted that the UOMO will not only enhance public safety and resilience during natural disasters but will also provide additional coverage in previously inaccessible areas. She stated, “The experience will be different from land mobile networks, but the benefits are transformative, particularly for a large continent like ours.” With this strategic move, Labor is committed to making Australia the most connected continent by 2030 by leveraging cutting-edge technology to build a robust mobile future.