Public Demands Better Mobile Network Services
Over 80% of Australians, according to a new study by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), support stronger licence conditions for telecommunications companies utilising spectrum. Public support ranges from 81% to 84% for conditions requiring telcos to invest in reducing outages, improve network resilience against natural disasters, meet minimum reliability standards, provide affordable entry-level mobile services, and expand coverage in regional areas.
“These results show that Australians expect better from their mobile services and support stronger safeguards to make that happen,” stated ACCAN’s CEO Carol Bennett.
Increased Support with Government Discounts
Informed about the government’s planned licence discount for telcos of up to AUD 1 billion, participants showed an increased support for stronger licence conditions by up to 5%. This suggests that Australians believe such obligations should be standard practice, not merely a condition of financial incentives.
Seventy-four per cent of respondents, highlighted by Bennett, believe the government should regulate telcos more strictly, similar to essential services such as electricity and water. “Consumers want to see licence conditions that provide cost of living relief for the most vulnerable in our society,” Bennett added.
Prepared by Essential Research as part of ACCAN’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker, this research underscores the demand for improved mobile services, especially after repeated network failures affecting access to critical services like Triple Zero. These failures have raised concerns about the reliability of mobile services across Australia.
The findings underscore the public’s expectation for reliable services in exchange for the social licence that allows telcos to profit significantly. Australians continue to experience inadequate service delivery from mobile providers, prompting a clear call for government action. Consumers are increasingly frustrated with the value and quality of mobile services, according to the survey.
Public support for government intervention in the telecommunications sector is strong, with many Australians believing that telcos should be held to higher standards of service delivery. Improved regulation is seen as a way to address ongoing issues with mobile network reliability and accessibility.
Highlighting a significant public demand for stronger licence conditions on telcos, the research shows Australians calling for measures that ensure better service reliability, especially in regional and remote areas. The government’s role in regulating the industry is viewed as crucial to achieving these improvements.
