New law means mobile voice and text coverage outdoors almost everywhere in Australia from December 2027

A separate law also lifts the biggest fine for telcos that break consumer rules from $250,000 to more than $10 million.

Confirmed

A new law means Australians should be able to make mobile calls and send texts outdoors almost anywhere from December 2027. Federal Parliament passed the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO) law on Thursday 15 October. It says Telstra, Optus and TPG must provide outdoor voice calls and text messages "almost everywhere you can see the sky", Communications Minister Anika Wells said. The rule starts on 1 December 2027, "subject to market developments". Parliament also passed a separate law to make telcos follow the rules that protect customers. It raises the biggest fine from $250,000 to more than $10 million, about 40 times higher, Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the government's communications watchdog, will enforce it. It is not yet known exactly how coverage will reach the most remote areas. For people in the bush and on country highways, it could mean being able to call or text for help in places that have no signal today.