SYDNEY, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Australia's competition watchdog on Wednesday announced an inquiry that will consider forcing telecommunications companies to allow domestic network roaming in regional areas.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said in a statement that the 12-month inquiry will examine regional mobile coverage across the country and whether it should declare domestic roaming and the radio access network as domestic wholesale mobile services.
If a domestic roaming declaration is made, it would make it mandatory for telcos to allow all mobile users to use their network when users are outside their own provider's coverage area.
A radio access network declaration would allow providers to share mobile infrastructure, including towers and radio equipment.
"The ACCC recognizes the importance of mobile coverage, provider choice and network reliability, particularly for people living, working and traveling in regional areas," Commissioner Anna Brakey said. "These are complex and evolving issues. Consumers expect and need affordable, reliable and high-quality services."
The ACCC said it would only make a declaration if doing so would benefit consumers over the long term. ■
