澳大利亚竞争和消费者委员会（ACCC）周三启动了一项为期12个月的调查，旨在评估是否应宣布国内漫游等批发移动服务[1]。该改革将允许手机在自有运营商信号中断时切换到竞争对手的网络[1]。调查还将审查无线电接入网络服务，涉及运营商共享的塔楼和无线电设备[1]。ACCC预计将在9月发布讨论文件[1]。
澳洲最大电信运营商Telstra已明确反对这一举措。Telstra表示："Telstra反对强制国内移动漫游，因为它会导致所有澳大利亚人的长期网络结果更差"[1]。该声明发布后，Telstra股价下跌近2%至约5澳元[1]。ACCC已在1998年、2005年和2017年三次审查漫游问题，每次都拒绝干预[1]。根据ACCAN四月的调查，94%持坚定看法的受访者支持漫游[1]。加拿大和新西兰已强制实施了国内漫游[1]。
Australia's competition regulator has launched a year-long inquiry into whether domestic roaming and other wholesale mobile services should be mandated, potentially allowing phone users to switch to rival networks when their own provider's signal drops out [1]. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) initiated the investigation on Wednesday to evaluate whether declaring one or more wholesale mobile services would benefit consumers [1].
Domestic roaming represents the primary focus of the review, enabling devices to automatically connect to competing networks outside their home operator's coverage area [1]. The inquiry will also examine radio access network services, which involve shared telecommunications towers and radio equipment [1]. A discussion paper is expected to be released in September [1].
Telstra, Australia's largest telecommunications operator, has publicly opposed the reform, stating that "Telstra opposes mandatory domestic mobile roaming...because it would result in worse long-term network outcomes for all Australians" [1]. The company's share price fell nearly 2 percent to approximately five Australian dollars following the announcement [1].
The ACCC has previously reviewed roaming arrangements in 1998, 2005, and 2017, declining to intervene on each occasion [1]. Both Canada and New Zealand have already implemented mandatory roaming [1]. According to an April survey by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, 94 percent of respondents with firm views supported roaming [1].