This effort aims to better identify mobile blackspots and guide future investment.
Part of the Government’s Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia, the audit will test around 180,000 km of regional and rural roads across the country, capturing data to better determine coverage and capacity of the mobile network signals.
“The Albanese Government understands that rural, regional and remote communities value reliable mobile coverage, and that every Australian deserves access to reliable mobile coverage regardless of where they live,” said Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP.
“The Albanese Government is delivering improved mobile coverage through our Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia.”
The audit – being undertaken by Accenture Australia – will provide an independent and comprehensive resource that will enhance public information on mobile coverage, beyond that already provided by mobile providers.
Read also: Albanese Government opens Project Noticeboard for mobile network upgrades
Australia Post will host mobile-measurement devices on delivery vans and long-haul delivery vehicles. They will cover a significant portion of the regional and rural roads to be tested through the audit.
“The National Audit of Mobile Coverage will provide important national data to help target future investment,” she added.
“Engaging Australia Post in the audit, and leveraging its networks, will help to ensure we get a comprehensive picture of mobile coverage across the country.”
Mobile-measurement devices will also be placed in more than 70 post offices across all States and Territories, providing further data points for analysis by Accenture.
With the pilot phase nearing completion, the main audit will commence in October. The audit will be delivered each year for the next three years, until 30 June 2027.
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