Labor candidate for Leichhardt Matt Smith says the Albanese government’s election pledge to implement a Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation will pay dividends for those living in the remotest part of the electorate – Cape York and the Torres Strait. Photo: Supplied.
The 93 per cent of the Leichhardt electorate without mobile phone reception will be a memory under a Labor government plan to boost remote coverage.
Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland announced on 26 February the Albanese government would introduce “world-first reform” to provide basic universal outdoor mobile coverage across the country, including on Cape York and in the Torres Strait, if it retains power following this year’s federal election.
The Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO) would require mobile carriers to provide access to mobile voice and SMS services almost everywhere across Australia in a bid to improve coverage in existing black spots and increase the availability of mobile signals during disasters and power outages.
It is understood the UOMO would include low Earth orbit satellites, such as Starlink, and the emerging direct-to-device technology, which enables signals from space direct to mobile devices.
The government said, if re-elected, it would introduce the UOMO legislation later this year, with the implementation of outdoor voice and SMS coverage expected by the end of 2027.
“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,” Minister Rowland said.
“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.”
Labor Leichhardt candidate Matt Smith welcomed the announcement and said he believed the UOMO would pay big dividends for those living in the northernmost part of the electorate.
“Far North Queenslanders are tough, they know how to ride out natural disasters, and they know what it means to be without reception in times they need it most, but that doesn’t mean they should,” he said.
“People in Far North Queensland stand to benefit massively from this announcement; whether you’re in Wujal Wujal, Aurukun or Saibai, if you can see the sky, you will be connected.”
