Power and Roaming Requirements for Mobile Telecommunications Providers During Natural Disasters
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Communications in Natural Disasters) Bill 2026
Independent Bill1st House
2nd House
Law
Introduced by: Helen Haines (IND)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
ACMA must identify areas at high risk of natural disasters; it must also set power and back-up power requirements for critical network units in those areas.
The Minister can force primary outdoor mobile providers to offer temporary disaster roaming; this lets users access other networks for calls and texts during emergencies.
Authorities must ensure telecommunications services stay available during natural disasters; this includes using community wi-fi and cells on wheels.
ACMA can use existing external documents, such as the Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay, to set power requirements for high-risk sites.
The Minister can give ACMA the power to make technical and operational rules for temporary disaster roaming.
Topics
critical infrastructure disaster roaming emergency communications mobile networks natural disasters telecommunications