Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2026

Summary

Mobile phone users in regional and remote Australia would gain a new legal right to outdoor mobile coverage under this amendment to telecommunications law. The legislation creates an obligation for mobile network providers to ensure that people can make calls and use data services in outdoor areas, addressing the current gap where coverage requirements only apply indoors in some regions. This change matters because many Australians living outside cities struggle with unreliable or non-existent mobile service, which affects emergency calls, work, and daily communication — the new requirement would make outdoor coverage a binding responsibility rather than a voluntary commitment.

What happens at this stage

The bill is introduced to the chamber by its sponsor and given a formal title. No debate takes place. This step exists so all members are officially notified the bill is coming before any substantive discussion begins.

Next: Second Reading, where the chamber debates the bill's overall purpose and principles