Universal Outdoor Mobile Coverage Another Step Closer

New legislation introduced to Parliament today has established new laws establishing the framework for the Albanese Government’s Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO).

The legislation will require national mobile carriers Telstra, Optus and TPG to provide access to SMS and voice coverage for Australians nationwide, almost everywhere you can see the sky.

It is expected the changes will help add up to 5 million square km of basic outdoor mobile SMS and voice coverage across Australia, making Australians more connected, keeping them safer, and ensuring they are able to call for help in times of emergency.

It will be made possible by a combination of existing terrestrial towers and new Low Earth Orbit Satellite technology, which allows for mobile signals to connect Direct to Device rather than relying on land-based infrastructure like mobile towers.

The UOMO will start by 1 December 2027 subject to market developments, with the Government working closely with industry to monitor the rollout of new Direct to Device technology.

To find out more, read the media release here.