Facilities and Tower Access Regimes and Mobile Network Infrastructure Providers Issues Paper.

ACCAN recently submitted to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts’ (the Department) consultation on its Facilities and Tower Access Regimes and Mobile Network Infrastructure Providers Issues Paper.

ACCAN considers that the current system of mobile tower and facilities access could be improved to promote competition and increase mobile coverage, as the needs of consumers living in regional, rural and remote areas as well as First Nations rural communities are not being adequately met.

ACCAN recommends the Australian Government:

• Expand Schedule 1 to include all Mobile Network Infrastructure Providers (MNIPs) to ensure all mobile infrastructure providers are subject to the same regulations, regardless of ownership.

• Impose obligations on all MNIPs to provide access to facilities and towers.

• Consider balancing its investment in the Mobile Black Spot Program with greater investment in mobile tower resilience in disaster-prone regions.

ACCAN believes that this more consolidated regulatory approach will ensure all MNIPs are subject to the same regulations, allowing greater access by Mobile Network Operators and promoting market competition.