Leading or lagging: The real cost of spectrum for regional Australia

February 24, 2026

Latest News Spectrum

24 February 2026: Today at the CommsDay Regional & Policy Forum in Canberra, AMTA CEO, Louise Hyland, addressed, what she believes, is the most significant policy decision facing our sector: the pricing of expiring mobile spectrum licences. Mobile connectivity is no longer optional — it is vital infrastructure. And for...

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Planning for Mobile Connectivity in New Developments

December 8, 2025

Factsheets & Guides For Industry Mobile Network Technology

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has prepared this factsheet to summarise recent changes to the Federal Government’s Telecommunications in New Developments (TIND) policy. From February 2024, all housing projects of 50 dwellings or more must consider mobile infrastructure and coverage during planning – just like water, electricity, and fixed-line...

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AMTA CEO Louise Hyland Champions Affordable Spectrum at Comms Connect 2025

October 21, 2025

Latest News Spectrum

21 October, 2025: AMTA CEO Louise Hyland addressed industry leaders at Comms Connect 2025 in Melbourne on 16 October, delivering a compelling speech on the critical role of mobile telecommunications in shaping Australia’s digital future. Hyland emphasised that affordable access to spectrum is essential to support the growing demand for mobile data...

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What is 4G?

September 15, 2025

Mobile Network Technology Mobile Networks Network Generations What Are Mobile Networks?

4G is the fourth generation of mobile networks and an evolution of the now closed 3G. This evolution incorporates significantly increased data rates and better performance to enhance the mobile internet experience. 4G uses LTE (Long Term Evolution) to offer increased capacity and speed to the network between mobile devices...

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AMTA urges ACMA to temper spectrum licence renewal pricing to support 6G investment

June 27, 2025

Latest News Spectrum

27th April, 2025: The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association has called on the Australian Communications and Media Authority to set renewal prices for expiring spectrum licences at levels that support ongoing network investment, including in future 6G rollouts, and reflect long-term declines in spectrum valuations. In a submission to ACMA’s consultation...

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AMTA urges Government action to strengthen Australia’s mobile future

April 17, 2025

Infrastructure Policy & Regulation Latest News Mobile Network Technology Network Resilience Our Policy Work Policy & Regulation

17 April, 2025: AMTA calls on next government to commit to a new Digital Economy Strategy. The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), the trusted voice of the mobile telecommunications industry, is urging all political parties and independents to commit to policies that will secure a stronger, more resilient mobile future...

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Building next to a mobile phone base station

November 6, 2024

Factsheets & Guides For Industry

When planning to develop a building or structure next to a mobile phone base station antenna, it is critical to engage with the mobile network operators early in the planning process. This fact sheet explains how early engagement ensures that the mobile network operators can maintain reliable mobile coverage to...

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How mobile spectrum is essential to Australia’s prosperity

July 29, 2024

For Industry Latest News Our Policy Work Spectrum

AMTA has released the second edition of its spectrum policy paper.  In the first edition released in November 2021, AMTA called for the Government to set a target of 8 GHz of spectrum to be assigned by 2030. In the second 2024 edition, AMTA still supports the need for this...

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3G Closure Buyer’s Guide

June 14, 2024

3G Closure Latest News Networks & Coverage

If you need to purchase a new handset due to the 3G networks closures, here is some important information to guide your purchasing decision. Certain mobile phone devices may not allow emergency calling once the 3G networks close down. Your mobile service provider has a number of options, and can...

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Model Framework for Mobile Telecommunications Infrastructure

May 21, 2024

Factsheets & Guides For Industry Infrastructure Deployment

Regulation of telecommunications has traditionally been a Commonwealth responsibility, but Australia’s State and Territory governments also play a significant role when it comes to telecommunications infrastructure. AMTA has developed a model for State and Territory reform, eight initiatives designed to promote best practice regulation for development approval and tenure for...

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Expiring Spectrum Licences Update May 2024

May 14, 2024

Mobile Network Technology Networks & Coverage Spectrum

AMTA has formed an Expiring Spectrum Licence (ESL) Working Group to focus on the ACMA’s consideration of renewing ESLs.    The following licenced spectrum bands are expiring between 2028 and 2032:  Spectrum Band  Expiry Date  700 MHz  31 December 2029  850 MHz  17 June 2028  1800 MHz  17 June 2028  2...

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Mobile Industry Resilience During Natural Disasters

February 22, 2024

Mobile Network Technology Network Resilience Networks & Coverage

The mobile telecommunications industry in Australia, represented by the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), invests substantially in infrastructure, technology, and preparedness initiatives to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.

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DAS Specification Consultation

November 21, 2023

Business & Industry For Business Mobile Carriers Forum

AMTA invites stakeholders and interested parties to consult on a DAS Guideline.  Purpose AMTA intends to publish a DAS Guideline on behalf of the mobile carriers that serves as voluntary guidance to third parties interested in designing and installing a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that will support the supply of enhanced...

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3G Closure

September 18, 2023

Mobile Network Technology

All three mobile network operators have now closed their 3G networks. TPG Telecom/Vodafone has already switched off its 3G mobile network services as of January 2024. Telstra closed its 3G network in November 2024. Optus 3G closed in November 2024. Please contact your service provider if you are affected. Once...

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RF Safety Program

May 10, 2022

For Industry Health & Safety Mobile Networks Safety Networks & Coverage RFNSA

What is the AMTA RF Safety Program? The AMTA RF Safety Program is a compliance strategy developed by the mobile carriers to meet the legislation requirements of: ACMA Radiocommunications Licence Conditions OH&S Why use the AMTA RF Safety Program? The AMTA RF Safety Program enables management of cumulative site EME in...

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What is 5G?

November 19, 2021

5G Network For Consumers Mobile Network Technology What Are Mobile Networks?

5G is the 5th generation of mobile networks, a significant evolution of today’s 4G networks. 5G is designed to meet the very large growth in data and connectivity of today’s modern society, the internet of things with billions of connected devices, and tomorrow’s innovations. 5G will initially operate in conjunction...

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What is the MCF?

November 19, 2021

For Industry Infrastructure Deployment Mobile Carriers Forum Mobile Network Technology

The Mobile Carriers Forum (MCF) is a division of the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) representing the three mobile phone carriers deploying mobile networks in Australia, namely Telstra, Optus and TPG Telecom. The MCF is a specialised industry group that deals specifically with issues related to the deployment and operation...

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Mobile network deployment regulation

November 19, 2021

For Industry Infrastructure and Policy Regulation Infrastructure Deployment Mobile Network Technology

The deployment of mobile network infrastructure in Australia is covered by legislation and regulation from all three levels of government including: Federal: Requirements under Schedule 3 of the Telecommunications Act, the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination (as amended), the Telecommunications Code of Practice, and the Communications Alliance Industry Code for Deployment...

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5G Infrastructure Readiness Assessment

March 28, 2021

Factsheets & Guides For Industry Infrastructure Deployment Mobile Network Technology

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has released Edition 1 of the State & Territory 5G Infrastructure Readiness Assessment. One of AMTA’s top priorities is the timely, efficient and effective deployment of the 5G mobile network infrastructure. Whilst much of Australia’s mobile telecommunications infrastructure is established using Federal ‘Low-impact’ exemptions,...

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Maximising energy efficiency

August 24, 2020

For Industry Infrastructure Deployment Mobile Carriers Forum Mobile Network Technology

For several years Australia’s telecommunications industry has progressively been working to reduce energy use. In 2013 the Mobile Carriers Forum (MCF) finalised training modules centred around energy efficiency in mobile networks – an award-winning program that garnered international interest. Since then, Australia’s mobile network carriers have continued to innovate, developing...

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