ACCAN responded to the Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts’ inquiry. The Committee has been asked to inquire into and report on the experience, opportunities and challenges for co-investment in multicarrier regional mobile infrastructure.

The availability of mobile coverage continues to be a concern in parts of Australia, and it is important that gaps in telecommunications infrastructure are addressed. As such, ACCAN considers that local communities can benefit from multi-carrier infrastructure. Infrastructure sharing or co-investment in mobile infrastructure can reduce prices and increase network coverage and quality, with pro-competitive effects.  

There are different models of co-investment, where there is a trade-off between reducing costs and allowing for greater flexibility and retail diversification. Consumers will benefit from greater incentives for incumbent Mobile Network Operators to further expand infrastructure sharing, and public policies should drive co-investment. Where government funding is supporting investment in mobile infrastructure, location appropriate models of multi-carrier infrastructure should be utilised.

Download:  Parliamentary Inquiry into Co-Investment3.54 MB

Download:  Parliamentary Inquiry into Co-Investment272.12 KB