AMTA urges Government action to strengthen Australia’s mobile future

AMTA calls on next government to commit to a new Digital Economy Strategy.

Thursday 17th April: 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 for all Australians.

Australia’s economic and social prosperity depends on mobile telecommunications. The mobile sector forms the backbone for digital applications and services that drive national productivity and transformation, as well being indispensable to the daily lives of most Australians.

It is therefore essential that Australia’s next government commits to policies that harness the transformative power of mobile technology. This should include a new Digital Economy Strategy, alongside a National Mobile Technology Strategy, to harness disparate technologies for the benefit of our economy and leverage the productivity benefits of 5G and 6G.

Louise Hyland, CEO, AMTA, said: “Reliable telecommunications services are essential for Australia’s economy and play a pivotal role in our everyday lives. As we approach the federal election, we urge all parties to prioritise policies that enable continued investment in mobile infrastructure, smarter spectrum management, and streamlined deployment.

“This will ensure that mobile telecommunications continue to power national productivity into the future and help every Australian to benefit from world-class mobile connectivity—no matter where they live.”

1. Digital Economy Strategy

Digital technology is indispensable to the daily lives of Australians and the mobile sector provides the platform to enable delivery of digital applications and technologies that drive productivity across the Australian economy. 

AMTA is calling for a whole of government plan, through a new Digital Economy Strategy, that recognises the relationship between mobile networks, digital infrastructure, technology, innovation, skills and cyber and their contribution to the broader economy. 

This should include a new National Mobile Tech Strategy to coordinate across jurisdictions to leverage the benefits of 5G and prepare for 6G, ensuring productivity and competitiveness are maximised across the economy.

2. Strategic Spectrum Policy Plan

Spectrum costs impact future investment and industry sustainability. The mobile sector has experienced long term declines in returns on invested capital, indicating a reduced capacity to invest in infrastructure to meet growing connectivity demands.

To address this, AMTA calls for Government to:

  • Implement a Strategic Spectrum Policy Plan to provide long-term certainty for capital investment.
  • Appropriately set spectrum pricing to assist industry sustainability, enabling greater network investment for coverage and capacity.
  • Adopt spectrum planning that makes available large contiguous bandwidth, aligned with global standards, to aid the efficient rollout of mobile technology to meet mobile data demand.

3. Harmonising Planning and Infrastructure Deployment

Complex and inconsistent planning regulations across states, territories, and councils are hampering the rollout of vital mobile infrastructure. Federal legislation needs modernising, as many parts are no longer fit for purpose.

AMTA calls for Government to:

  • Adopt a streamlined and nationally consistent planning regime.
  • Modernise the Telecommunications Act 1997 so that improved service can be delivered quicker and more cost effectively.
  • Accelerate planning approval for federally-funded mobile blackspot towers.
  • Adopt the AMTA Model Framework for State and Territory reform, a blueprint for infrastructure deployment.

4. Strengthening Telecommunications Resilience and preparedness for Natural Disasters

Recent events such as Cyclone Alfred have highlighted the essential role of mobile networks in disaster preparedness and emergency response. However, more needs to be done to ensure network resilience during crises.

AMTA calls for Government to:

  • Increase engagement with energy providers to prioritise power resilience for telecommunications networks during natural disasters.
  • Work with relevant emergency services organisations on consumer education for individuals and communities on disaster preparedness and emergency communications measures.
  • Engage further with industry on the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO) obligations, including requirements for the specified capability and likely timeframes.


You can download the detailed list of asks here:

https://amta.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/AMTA-Federal-Election-Statement-April-2025.pdf

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