I welcome the release by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts of the request for tender (RFT) to conduct a National Audit of Mobile Coverage.
This is a key milestone towards the Government’s efforts to audit mobile coverage across the country.
The aim of the Audit is to better identify mobile coverage black spots to help target future investment, and to assess the accuracy of carrier coverage maps.
The RFT was informed by consultation through a request for information process, including from a range of industry, consumer and community stakeholders.
The RFT will seek proposals to deliver the Audit over a period of up to five years and it is anticipated that the Audit will be delivered through a modular approach. This will include an initial proof of concept through a pilot followed by a more comprehensive main audit. The department is also seeking existing and additional mobile coverage data such as crowd-sourced data or data from other audits.
The Audit is part of the Government’s Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia and a 2022 federal election commitment, with the October 2022-23 Budget confirming $20 million over 5 years to conduct the audit.
The Audit aims to leverage Australia Post infrastructure and assets, alongside other partnerships and approaches.
The RFT will close November 15th.
