AMTA Launches Future of Mobile Initiative

12 August, 2025 – Carrying your wallet and keys, queuing at the supermarket and forgetting your passwords could soon be a thing of the past, according to new expert research from peak industry body the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA).

Future of Mobile: A Day in the Life shows a new wave of mobile technologies will be embedded into every aspect of daily life within ﬁve years, eliminating many hassles Australians have come to accept.

From foldable, rollable iPads to AI that can pick up health concerns before they begin, the future-casting commissioned by AMTA from Deloitte shows that mobile technology will become even more essential for connected Australians.

By 2030, most Australians won’t need to:

Carry cash or cards: With cash use down to just 10 per cent of payments, digital wallets and wearable pay-tech including rings will become the default.

Remember passwords: Passkeys and biometrics will be the new secure standard, particularly in banking and telecommunications.

Carry house or car keys: Smart locks and digital keys will become standard in homes and vehicles.

Queue unnecessarily: Airports will rely on biometric immigration, while major retailers will roll out cashier-less checkouts.

Worry about dead batteries: Solid-state battery development is targeting multi-day battery life and ultra-fast charging for laptops and tablets.

Louise Hyland, CEO of the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association, says mobile technologies will change how most Australians live and work.

“Mobile infrastructure already quietly powers so much of what we do – from staying in touch with our loved ones to connecting patients in regional Australia with world-class healthcare.

“This technology isn’t just changing lives, it’s changing industries. Mobility and connectivity are superpowers in sectors like construction, health, and elite sport. Whether it’s being able to utilise 3D modelling on building sites or an occupational therapist using voice-activated tech so clients can live safely and independently, mobile is at the core.

“Even now, more than 95 per cent of Australians own a mobile phone, 76 per cent own a laptop, 61 per cent a tablet and 44 per cent a wearable device. This new

report demonstrates how deeply we rely on mobile connectivity and how important it will be as part of our future.”

AMTA also predicts the most popular tech we’ll be using in 2030 and beyond will be::

5G & Very-Early 6G Smartphones – Ultra-fast speeds, near-zero delays in data downloads, and AI-powered device capabilities.
Foldable & Rollable Devices – no more cracked screens with

ﬂexible-screen handsets and tablets for multitasking, entertainment, and productivity.

Mobile Health monitoring – Continuous health monitoring from wearables, identifying risks before they become a problem.
AR Smart Glasses – worn as sunglasses or glasses, these will provide heads-up navigation, translations, and information in daily life.
Wearable Extensions – Smartwatches, smart rings, and health trackers doubling as payment devices, transit passes, and IDs.
LEO Satellite Integration – Always-on mobile connectivity via Starlink and other low-Earth orbit networks, giving better connectivity even in remote and regional areas.
Augmented Reality Applications – Mobile-enabled AR for navigation, sports stats, retail experiences, and education.
Super-apps/AI Agents – All-in-one platforms integrating payments, messaging, shopping, travel, and government services into a single mobile interface.

Future of Mobile: A Day in the Life is available at amta.org.au/futureofmobile