Telstra forced to reduce its coverage map under new government limits
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The news: Telstra will be forced to remove one million square kilometres from its coverage areas, after the Albanese government set limits on how telecommunications companies advertise and calculate the scale of their networks.
The context: The new rules, set to be announced on Tuesday by Communications Minister Anika Wells, according to the AFR, follow reports that Telstra overstated the size of its network and that its representations about the size of its coverage created a false sense of security for emergency services.
In 2025, The Australian reported that Vodafone accused Telstra of overstating its mobile coverage claim by about one million square kilometres. Optus and TPG Telecom have also raised doubts about Telstra’s coverage claims.
From June 30, telecommunications companies will be required to publish maps showing their 4G and 5G signal with the markers “good”, “moderate”, “basic” and “no coverage”.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority will on Tuesday set the industry guideline that good signal is below -95 dBm, moderate is between -95 dBm and -105 dBm and basic ends at -115dBm.
The coverage maps will have to be updated by telcos every three months and the telcos will need to provide maps to any company that uses their network.
“There are longstanding problems with the quality and comparability of mobile coverage maps published by the telcos, and the government is putting a stop to this mess,” Wells said in a statement.
“This will help to ensure telecommunications services are working for Australians and supports our ongoing work to strengthen access to and oversight of Triple Zero.”
The sources: AFR, The Australian
