Department to consider role of LEO satellites in future comms policy

Communications minister Michelle Rowland said a new working group within her de[1]partment will examine the potential role of LEOSat constellations in future telecom[1]munications policy.

The minister on Friday used the 2022 Charles Todd Ora[1]tion to reveal the initiative, which could potentially radically reshape how the federal government seeks to deliver the Universal Service Guarantee as well as the future direction of NBN Co in regional areas.

Rowland in her address noted the “signiϐicant innovation” happening in the LEO space. “These rapid developments are bringing choice and a step change in broadband capability to businesses and households in regional and rural Austral[1]ia,” the minister said. LEO satellites are also now being used to support text messag[1]ing on mobile phones, she added.

The working group will “help inform government about how this emerging capa[1]bility might play a role in future telecommunications policy.”

NBN UPGRADES: The minister in her speech noted NBN Co’s infrastructure upgrade plans, including of its ϐixed wireless service and the government-supported extension of its ϐibre access network. The speech followed on the heels of the government an[1]nouncement that the federal budget will earmark $2.4 billion to help expand access for 1.5 million premises for FTTN to FTTP upgrades.

Rowland said that optical ϐibre is “not just about better speed” but also about deliv[1]ering more reliable and resilient connectivity while cutting opex and maintenance.

Rowland told CommsDay that NBN Co would target areas assessed to be the most economically efϐicient as well as likely to get the most take-up. “We know there is huge demand for this in the copper footprint areas,” the minister said.

“So we are conϐident that it will be well-received and NBN Co is going to roll this out by the end of 2025. We’ll obviously be closely monitoring that. But I will say one of the biggest areas of complaint that we receive is that that poor quality and that degradation in the FTTN footprint. It certainly is that one of the areas of highest com[1]plaints.”

Rowland said that there had been positive feedback to the proposal in the immedi[1]ate aftermath of the government’s announcement.

MULTI-CARRIER MOBILE: Rowland addressed Labor’s pre-election commitment to incorporate multi-carrier mobile coverage into federal mobile black initiatives.

“I have been careful not to specify, to date, a speciϐic or inϐlexible model for multi[1]carrier coverage,” she told the event. “I am closely following the many trials which are being conducted around Australia with different forms of active sharing and neutral hosting.

“Those trials have at least established that there are few technical barriers, the problem is strategic and commercial,” the minister noted. “There are many ways to cut this cake and I am keen to hear which possibilities the industry believe can work best.”

The minister has instigated a parliamentary inquiry into the issue, and said that the department would also be running public consultations in due course.

DIGITAL INCLUSION: Rowland also highlighted efforts to address digital inclusion,which in many ways was a signature issue for the MP during her years as shadow min[1]ister for communications.

The minister said she was seeking input from industry and other stakeholders in co[1]designing programs to promote digital inclusion for Indigenous Australians as part of meeting Target 17 in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

She also noted the digital divide between regional and metro Australia, particularly around affordability and access. One of the government’s early focus areas will be un[1]connected school students.

The upcoming budget next week will reveal our commitment to help connect up to 30,000 families who for whatever reason do not have internet at home,” Rowland said.

The oration was hosted by TelSoc, and this year marked the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Overland Telegraph. Rowland in her speech ϐlagged the tele[1]graph of one of three transformational ϐixed line deployments in Australia, also noting the rollout by the Postmaster General’s Department of the copper telephone network and the establishment of the NBN in 2009.

Rohan Pearce, CommsDay