The sale of mobile towers by Australia's three mobile network operators to large specialist tower companies has changed the structure of the mobile telecommunications industry and made the regulatory regime for tower access no longer fit for purpose, according to the ACCC's final report on access to towers and other infrastructure used in the supply of mobile services in regional areas [9f0c92e1].
The report highlights that pre-existing commercial arrangements between the old and new tower owners are limiting the incentives for tower operators to increase co-location, which is typically cheaper than building new towers. The report also states that the regulatory regime, including the Facilities Access Code administered by the ACCC, is no longer effective as it does not apply to all major tower companies [9f0c92e1].
The ACCC found that maintaining and gaining market share is a key driver for mobile network operators to expand coverage in regional areas, but Telstra's competitive advantage and lower population density create barriers for Optus and TPG Telecom. The report also addresses concerns about patchy coverage, difficulties comparing coverage maps, and the impact of the 3G shutdown in 2024 [9f0c92e1].
The ACCC's inquiry also examined the feasibility of temporary mobile roaming during natural disasters, concluding that it is technically feasible but would require changes to business processes and network systems [9f0c92e1].