Did the Labor party just announce policy for a technology that’s already happening? Satellite mobile coverage for All of Australia!

Some days I just sit and shake my head, so when I read the announcement from the Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland that the Albanese Labor Government would require telcos to offer Voice and SMS services via Satellite in all areas of Australia, I had to read it twice and shake my head more times than that.

The Government has just announced that they will require telcos to do the very thing telcos have already announced they are doing, and in some cases already testing.

Optus was first, aggressively, and then that was delayed – not through their fault, but US regulations. Then Telstra came in and it feels like took some of the wind out of Optus’ sails, but again, Starlink satellites will be used to get mobile signal to existing mobile phones – amazing.

And TPG Telecom/Vodafone is also doing deals with low earth orbit satellite companies.

Basically, we already have a strong arms race underway here to be the “first” to offer “100% mobile coverage in Australia” and then there will be a race to get calls, then small amounts of data – it’s on – like donkey kong too!

Minister Rowland says “Labor governments have a proven record of expanding universal access to essential services, and the Albanese Government is forging another step forward.

“The 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.

“The experience will be different to land mobile networks, but the benefits transformative, particularly for a large continent such as ours.

“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.”

Basically, they are legislating a NEW concept of “Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation” which is not a change to the current Universal Service Obligation but something entirely new which will “require mobile carriers to provide access to mobile voice and SMS almost everywhere across Australia. “

And they get you excited by saying the objectives are to:

• expand Triple Zero access for Australians across the nation;
• expand outdoor voice and SMS coverage into existing mobile black spots; and
• improve the availability of mobile signals during disasters and power outages.

Again, these are all outcomes from the current plans by the telcos.

It’s frankly laughable, because a bunch of bureaucrats have had a thought bubble about how to over justify their wages and time, but coming up with an idea that doesn’t really need regulation, in fact the introduction of regulation could well slow the implementation.

A Telstra Spokesperson told EFTM

• We are supportive of the intent. We fully agree DTH (Direct to handset) technology can improve access to connectivity – especially for safety – where traditional mobile coverage is not available. That’s why we have already announced our roadmap and invested to bring it to Australian’s as quickly as possible, with testing already underway.
• That said, we’re not sure you need regulation to make it happen. Especially given it’s only an emerging market. Regulation won’t make it happen better or faster, but it can add risk and cost, especially as our ability to meet the obligation relies on negotiating terms with global network operators and device manufacturers enabling the service on their devices, old and new.
• We note the Government has committed to work with industry to help mitigate some of these risks, which is welcomed, and we will engage constructively as part of the process.
• It is also important to manage community expectations on DTH and its limitations, and be clear that terrestrial mobile networks will remain the primary form of connectivity for most people.

As they say, we have to be careful here, people assume “mobile coverage” means a lot of things today, like data access and things like messaging on WhatsApp – that would not be possible under this technology – at least in the early stages, so caution is required.

A TPG Telecom Spokesperson told EFTM “We welcome the Government’s plans to support 100 per cent mobile coverage across Australia and look forward to working with them on the incentives, spectrum support and policy settings required to make this possible”

An Optus spokesperson said “Optus welcomes the intent to work with retailers to expand triple zero access for Australians right across the country; further enhance mobile resilience during disasters and power outages; and continue to reduce mobile black spots.  The Optus network covers 98.5% of the Australian population, but we know that in terms of coverage across the land mass of Australia as a whole, there is a lot more that retailers can do if supported by government to do so. We look forward to engaging on this intent. “

Fascinating times ahead, but the bottom line is, don’t let this be the thing that changes your vote. No matter how you vote, this will happen.