Optus
- Parliament passes Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation, starting 1 December 2027
Telstra, Optus and TPG Telecom will have to provide outdoor voice and SMS coverage almost everywhere under the new law, using satellite direct-to-device services. The Coalition secured amendments on disaster roaming and reliability standards, while ACCAN says the law leaves gaps.
- Mobile dropout complaints up 22.6 per cent even as total telco complaints fall
The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman recorded a 6.5 per cent fall in complaints over the year, but mobile dropout complaints rose 22.6 per cent. ACCAN says the fall reflects consumers giving up rather than better service.
- Australian carriers switch on Temporary Disaster Roaming after years of testing
Telstra, Optus and TPG have made Temporary Disaster Roaming available in disaster-hit parts of the country, letting phones join another carrier's network when their own fails. It carries no extra charge but works only under tight conditions.
- Optus switches on 1,000th upgraded regional 5G site, targets 1,500 by end of 2028
Optus has reached 1,000 upgraded regional 5G sites, having nearly doubled the number in 18 months, and says it plans 1,500 by the end of 2028 and almost 2,500 by 2030.