Telsoc Speech – Unlocking the next wave of network evolution: Investing in Australia’s mobile future
19 May, 2026: AMTA CEO Louise Hyland spoke at the Telecommunications Association (TelSoc) event titled, “Unlocking the next wave of network evolution: Investing in Australia’s mobile future”, held on 14 May in Canberra. The speech covered how Australia can unlock the next wave of network evolution through investments and some of the regulatory and policy settings we should be prioritising.
It was a timely discussion following the recent Federal Budget announcements and productive conversations in Canberra with government and department representatives about modernising the Telecommunications Act and streamlining infrastructure approvals.
Australia is at a critical juncture. Demand for connectivity is growing rapidly, AI is reshaping industries and communities increasingly depend on resilient, high-capacity mobile networks for everything from healthcare and emergency communications to agriculture, logistics and advanced manufacturing. At the same time, the decisions we make now around spectrum pricing, planning frameworks and regulatory settings will determine whether Australia remains globally competitive in advanced mobile connectivity.
At AMTA, we believe there is a significant opportunity to improve productivity and accelerate investment through nationally consistent reforms that reduce unnecessary delays and duplication. Even modest improvements to regulatory processes could help fast-track infrastructure deployment, strengthen regional connectivity and deliver meaningful economic benefits for Australians.
Thank you to TelSoc and to everyone who joined the discussion. There is enormous expertise across our sector, and continued collaboration will be essential if we are to build a stronger, smarter and more connected Australia.