Regional Mobile Complaints on the Rise

Farmers and rural families battling unreliable mobile coverage are being urged to keep lodging formal complaints, as new data highlights the scale of the issue.

The latest report from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman shows complaints in New South Wales have risen, with almost a quarter coming from regional areas.

The NSW Farmers Rural Affairs Committee says the figures reflect long-standing frustration across country communities.

Small business internet complaints climbed more than 16 per cent, while reports of slow data speeds and complete service outages also increased sharply.

Concerns have intensified since the national 3G shutdown, with some residents reporting difficulties contacting emergency services.

NSW Farmers is backing the Federal Government’s proposed Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation but warns it must complement — not replace — investment in terrestrial networks.

Producers are being encouraged to escalate unresolved service issues directly to the Ombudsman to ensure regional connectivity gaps remain firmly on the national agenda.