Mobile coverage maps fall short for regional Australia, expert says

Mobile coverage maps fall short for regional Australia, expert says

Australians living outside major cities have been over-promised mobile coverage that does not match reality, according to an RMIT telecommunications expert responding to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)’s mobile coverage map inquiry.

Associate Professor Mark Gregory, telecommunications and networks

“The mobile coverage map inquiry has exposed serious flaws in the way we measure and report mobile connectivity across Australia, particularly for regional and remote communities.

“When coverage maps rely heavily on industry supplied data with limited independent verification, the result is an overly optimistic picture that does not match people’s experience on the ground.

“People living and working in regional and remote Australia need to know whether their mobile service will actually work when they need it, not simply that a carrier claims there is coverage.

“This is not just a technical issue – it affects safety, economic opportunity and the basic ability of Australians outside the capital cities to participate fully in our digital society.

“We need ACMA to adopt a much more transparent, data driven and independent approach to coverage mapping, including rigorous testing and clear avenues for communities to challenge inaccurate information.”

Mark Gregory is an Associate Professor in the School of Engineering at RMIT University.

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General media enquiries: RMIT External Affairs and Media, 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au

01 April 2026

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01 April 2026

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