Telstra and Other Named Providers Must Provide Outdoor Mobile Coverage
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2026
House of Representatives
Senate
Assent
Topics
consumer protection internet access mobile coverage mobile networks service standards telecommunications
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Tom French ALP
“Another wild ride in the chamber! I rise to speak in support of the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025. On its face, this appears to be a technical reform, a structural amendment to telecommunications legislation.”
“This legislation is being referred to as the UOMO legislation. It could also be called the FOMO legislation. I appreciate that UOMO means universal outdoor mobile obligation.”
Simon Kennedy LIB
“In modern Australia, reliable mobile phone coverage is not a luxury, it’s not an optional extra and it’s not a lifestyle perk. It’s foundational national infrastructure. Just as our roads connect our communities physically, telecommunications connect them digitally. In 2026, these digital connections underpin our economy, they underpin our social cohesion and, critically, they underpin our safety.”
Sam Birrell NAT
“I rise to speak on the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025. As the member for Riverina pointed out, it is 2026, and this was supposed to be delivered over 12 months ago. But here we are. Communications is foundational infrastructure. My electorate of Nicholls is regional and it is rural, but it is far from remote.”
David Moncrieff ALP
“The Albanese Labor government was re-elected last year with a mandate to build Australia’s future. Australia’s future is a connected one. We inhabit a vast and ancient continent, but we live in a time when technology has drastically changed what distance can mean to us. In 1854 we had the first telegram line connect Sydney to Melbourne.”
Barnaby Joyce PHON
“This issue in regional Australia is so very, very important. At the start, we had a thing called CDMA. It didn’t carry much data, but it had a huge range. It used to be remarkable. When I was out at Saint George—you’d be miles away and you could get CDMA. You could get on the phone. If you broke down or something happened or there was a crash or you needed to get spare parts, CDMA worked.”
Emma Comer ALP
“In the year 2026 mobile phone coverage is not a luxury; it is a necessity for everyday life. It is how Australians communicate with their families and friends. It is how parents coordinate school pick-ups and after-school activities. It’s how carers check in on elderly relatives. It is how people stay socially connected in an increasingly digital world.”
Ms ROBERTS
“The incorporated speech read as follows— I rise today to strongly support the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025, a bill that will make a tangible, everyday difference for Australians in every electorate, especially for those living in our fast-growing suburbs and our outer-metro communities, like in my electorate of Pearce and the regions that…”
“I rise to speak to the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025. For too long, Australians, including in my electorate, have put up with dreadful and patchy phone service due to privatisation, cost cutting and government neglect.”
Rowan Holzberger ALP
“I rise to support the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025. There has been a break in the debate from the last sitting, and I reference the contribution made by, I think, the member for Parkes, who was critical of this bill because he thought that it didn’t go far enough. My question really is: what is the alternative?”
Tom Venning LIB
“I acknowledge the previous speaker’s comments: vision is one thing, but actions are another thing. I rise today to address a matter of profound significance to the people of rural, regional and remote South Australia and indeed every Australian who lives, works or travels beyond the suburban fringes of our major cities.”
Terry Young LNP
“I rise to speak on the amendments to the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025. It’s hard to believe that in 2026 we’re talking about mobile connectivity in this country, a first world country, but, anyway, we are. This has been one of Longman’s biggest issues since I was elected in 2019.”
“Telecommunications is essential to the lives of every Australian. In 2026 the importance of quality, reliable and affordable mobile services cannot be understated. We rely on mobile phones for connectivity more than ever. Despite that, Australia’s longstanding universal service obligation does not include mobile services.”
Aaron Violi LIB
“Well done, Member for Cook, on that passionate speech—a great local member for the Sutherland shire. I said in my first speech almost four years ago— Mr Hill: To quote yourself! Mr VIOLI: To quote myself, Member for Bruce—that ’the difference between a working phone line can be life and death’.”
Mary Aldred LIB
“I rise to speak on the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025 and the amendment. The coalition is pleased to support it.”
Tim Ayres ALP
“I table revised explanatory memoranda relating to the bills and I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech es read as follows— SOCIAL SECURITY AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (TECHNICAL CHANGES NO.”
News articles and press releases
Context: a long-running regional complaint
Helen Haines MP, Independent Member for Indi — 2026-09-27
Poor regional telecommunications has been one of the most frequent issues raised with me by constituents.