SEATS applauds the Australian Government’s announcement today by Ministers Anika Wells and Kristy McBain that Australians will be better connected than ever with new laws establishing the framework for the Albanese Government’s Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO).

It will be made possible by a combination of existing terrestrial towers and new Low Earth Orbit Satellite technology, which allows for mobile signals to connect Direct to Device rather than relying on land-based infrastructure like mobile towers. The UOMO will start by 1 December 2027 subject to market developments, with the Government working closely with industry to monitor the rollout of new Direct to Device technology.

In 2022 SEATS began to lobby for comprehensive mobile data and telephony coverage across south eastern Australia and set about to strongly request the Australian government ensure that within 5 years all national and state highways achieve a 95% mobile telephony reception coverage and that the rollout commence on the Monaro Highway and the Princes Highway between Sydney and Melbourne. The motivation behind the resolution was to improve safety management and business performance for those that move freight across the highways and municipal road networks.

This initiative will also provide businesses, including local government, to monitor remote workers as they go about their duties in isolated parts of the nation.