The ACCC is seeking views from Australian consumers and businesses as it launches public consultation for its Mobile Services Inquiry.
Consumers, businesses, community organisations and other interested parties can have their say by either completing an online consumer survey(link is external) or making a submission in response to the ACCC's discussion paper.
This feedback will help inform the ACCC's understanding of competition, coverage and choice in Australia's mobile services market.
"We want to hear from a wide range of consumers and organisations about their experiences of mobile coverage, service quality and choice," ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.
"Whether you rely on mobile connectivity to run a business, work remotely or stay connected with family and friends, your experience can help us understand how well the market is working."
"We are aware of long-standing concerns about prices, service quality, coverage gaps and limited provider choice in some parts of Australia. We want to better understand these experiences, particularly in regional and remote areas," Ms Brakey said.
"We are also seeking industry views on a range of competition, investment and regulatory issues relevant to the inquiry."
The ACCC has not formed a view on whether it should declare any wholesale mobile services. It will gather evidence and carefully consider the views of consumers, businesses, industry, community organisations and government stakeholders before making any decision.
Submissions in response to the discussion paper are due by 5pm 26 November 2026. The consumer survey is available through the ACCC Consultation Hub(link is external) until 5pm 10 December 2026.
The survey invites consumers across Australia to share their experiences with mobile services. Responses from people in cities, regional areas and remote communities will help the ACCC better understand:
- the factors that matter most when choosing a mobile service provider
- why consumers switch between mobile service providers
- people's experiences of mobile coverage, service quality and choice.
The ACCC is also exploring opportunities to consult in regional and remote areas to gather feedback directly about local coverage, competition and connectivity.
The consumer survey, discussion paper and further information about the inquiry, including what a declaration could mean in practice and how to make a submission, are available on the ACCC website at Mobile services inquiry.
Background
In August 2026, the ACCC commenced an inquiry into Australia's mobile services market.
The inquiry is examining whether regulating access to certain wholesale mobile services would promote competition, investment and better consumer outcomes.
The ACCC is considering whether to declare a domestic roaming service, a radio access network service, or both.
A domestic roaming service would allow a mobile provider's customers to use another provider's network in areas covered by a declaration.
A radio access network service would allow one mobile provider to use another provider's radio equipment to connect its customers' phones and other devices to a mobile network.
Declaration is a regulatory tool available to the ACCC under Australia's competition and consumer laws.
If a service is declared, a network operator would be required to provide access to other telecommunications providers if they request it.
