ACCC elects not to declare mobile roaming

The ACCC has decided not to require mobile operators to share network resources, but has identified a range of alternative measures aimed at improving coverage in regional areas.

The regulator had been evaluating whether to make domestic mobile roaming a declared service, meaning that access seekers would have a general right of access to a service.

In this case, declaring domestic mobile roaming would have required mobile operators to provide access to their network resources to access seekers based on regulated pricing and terms.

But ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said the regulator’s inquiry had found that a declaration was not likely to lead to lower prices or improved coverage in regional areas.

“Declaration could actually harm the interests of consumers by undermining the incentives of mobile operators to make investments to compete with each other in regional areas,” Sims said.

“Many regional areas currently have a limited choice as in some areas only Telstra has coverage. While declaring roaming may increase choice, consumers could pay more as the costs of accessing roaming in regional areas will likely be passed onto consumers.”

But he said the ACCC has identified a range of measures aimed at addressing complaints over inadequate coverage in regional areas.

“Better transparency about network coverage and quality, more accountability about network investments and better information for regulatory and policy decision-makers are all important.”

The ACCC has also recommended a review into the Facilities Access Code, the part of the Telecommunications Act that aims to encourage access to facilities and co-location of infrastructure, to promote tower sharing and potentially spectrum, backhaul and radio access network sharing.

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