What AU’s Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation Bill seeks to change

Goal is to make baseline mobile coverage widely available as quickly as possible.

The Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025 in Australia is now a step closer to becoming a law.

“Australians rely on mobile phones for their connectivity more than ever,” said Minister for Communications Anika Wells when she moved that the bill be read a second time at the House of Representatives.

“However, Australia’s longstanding Universal Service Obligation does not include mobile services. The Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation will change that.

“For the first time, our national mobile network operators, Telstra, Optus, and TPG, will need to provide reasonable access to outdoor baseline mobile coverage across Australia on an equitable basis.”

According to Wells, the UOMO is now being legislated to ensure that baseline mobile coverage is widely available as quickly as possible. The legislation will establish the framework for the UOMO.

“The UOMO is not about replacing traditional mobile coverage with new technology,” the Member of Parliament for Lilley stated. “It will complement existing networks so that we cover as much of Australia as possible and enable the community to benefit from new technology.”

Wells pointed out: “The aim of the overarching obligation is that end-users of designated mobile telecommunication services can be used outdoors at locations where it is reasonable to expect them to be able to be used.”

It is believed that Australia's universal service arrangements will be modernised through the legislation, providing equitable access to basic mobile coverage outdoors and greater access to essential telecommunications services.

Carol Bennett, CEO of peak body ACCAN (Australian Communications Consumer Action Network), commented: “With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and communities relying heavily on telecommunications during emergencies, this is a timely and necessary reform.

“Better baseline coverage will help keep communities safe and boost access in areas that have never had reliable mobile service.”

Bennett went on to describe the introduction of the UOMO legislation as an “encouraging step” towards a fit-for-purpose telecommunications framework.

“We must embrace next-generation technology whilst maintaining the backbone terrestrial infrastructure that communities continue to rely on, and this is the careful balance struck by the UOMO Bill,” she added.

When passed, the UOMO Bill will commence on 1 December 2027.