Clearer Calls: New Telco Rules

As of June 30, 2026, new regulations from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) require telecommunication providers to offer more transparent information regarding mobile coverage and network outages. These changes are designed to help consumers make well-informed decisions about their mobile service providers based on consistent and comparable data.

The new guidelines stipulate that telcos must publish standardized mobile coverage maps that detail 4G and 5G availability across Australia. These maps are to be categorized into levels such as good, moderate, basic, or no coverage, and include straightforward descriptions of what each level entails. Additionally, these maps must be updated quarterly to ensure accuracy and relevance.

Further enhancing consumer knowledge, the ACMA has also introduced requirements for telcos to maintain public registers of resolved significant network outages. These registers will include details on the start and end times of outages, the geographic areas affected, the types and estimated number of services impacted, and the general causes of the outages. This initiative aims to aid not only consumers but also regulators and emergency service providers by improving the public’s access to reliable data on network performance and resilience.

ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin expressed that these new measures mark an essential advancement in transparency within the telecommunications sector. She highlighted the critical nature of reliable telecommunication services for everyday activities including work, education, and emergency responses. The ACMA will monitor compliance with these new regulations to ensure that the benefits of increased transparency are realized by consumers across Australia.