Australia Disaster Roaming Calls Grow After New Alert System Launch

Australia's new AusAlert system sends emergency warnings, but calls for disaster roaming are louder than ever. This means people want to connect to any network, not just their own, during disasters.
By Newsroom | Technology, Australia |

Calls for a disaster roaming service in Australia have been reignited. This push follows the federal government's recent unveiling of a new emergency alert system. The core of the debate centers on ensuring communication access for all Australians during natural disasters, regardless of their mobile provider. Independent MP Helen Haines is at the forefront of this renewed effort, advocating for a system where mobile phones can connect to any available network during emergencies.

New Alert System vs. Unmet Communication Needs

The Australian government has launched a new emergency messaging system, AusAlert, intended to provide faster and more targeted alerts to the public during natural disasters. Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain, stated that this system moves away from a text message-based approach to better disseminate information. While this new system aims to improve communication, critics argue it fails to address a fundamental gap: reliable mobile connectivity when individual networks fail or are damaged.

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  • AusAlert's Functionality: The system will send emergency siren-like alerts and notifications directly to mobile phones.

  • Divergent Approaches: This technology-focused alert delivery is contrasted with the call for disaster roaming, which addresses the physical network infrastructure's ability to function during crises.

The Case for Disaster Roaming

Independent MP Helen Haines has been a vocal proponent of disaster roaming, arguing it is a "critical missing piece" in Australia's emergency preparedness. Her advocacy is gaining traction, notably with support from the National Farmers' Federation (NFF). NFF President Hamish McIntyre emphasized that disaster roaming is "essential to protecting regional communities," where reliance on specific mobile carriers can leave entire areas isolated.

  • Calls for Action: Haines points to multiple previous reports, including the Senate’s Connecting the Country report, the ACCC’s Regional Mobile Infrastructure Inquiry, and the Bean Review, all of which have recommended disaster roaming, yet the reform remains undelivered.

  • Equity in Safety: The NFF highlights that safety should not be dependent on an individual's choice of mobile provider.

International Precedents and Frameworks

The United States has taken steps to improve wireless network resilience during disasters. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented rules and initiatives, such as the Mandatory Disaster Response Initiative (MDRI).

  • FCC's MDRI: This initiative requires wireless providers to assist one another during storms. Failure to comply can result in significant fines. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel stated that the goal is to ensure service continuity irrespective of a user's carrier.

  • Triggering Conditions for MDRI: The MDRI can be activated under several conditions:

  • Activation of FEMA’s Emergency Support Function (ESF-2).

  • Activation of the FCC’s Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS).

  • Issuance of an activation Public Notice by the Chief of the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.

  • Previous Frameworks: The FCC has a history of engaging with the industry on resiliency, including the Wireless Resiliency Cooperative Framework, which saw participation from carriers like Sprint (prior to its merger with T-Mobile) and Verizon Wireless.

Expert Analysis and Ongoing Debates

The debate over disaster roaming highlights a divergence in how to approach communication resilience.

"Disaster roaming remains a critical missing piece in Australia’s telecommunications infrastructure."– Dr. Helen Haines, Independent Federal Member for Indi

"Disaster roaming was essential to protecting regional communities."– Hamish McIntyre, President, National Farmers’ Federation

While the new AusAlert system addresses the dissemination of warnings, the challenge of ensuring individuals can receive those warnings and communicate their own needs remains. This suggests that technical solutions for alert delivery may be insufficient without robust underlying network resilience, particularly in geographically diverse areas.

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Conclusion and Next Steps

The introduction of AusAlert marks a step forward in Australia's emergency alert capabilities. However, the persistent calls for disaster roaming underscore a significant concern regarding the fundamental accessibility of communication networks during crises. The NFF's endorsement of disaster roaming indicates a broad recognition of its importance for regional safety. The Australian government faces the ongoing challenge of integrating disaster roaming into its telecommunications infrastructure, drawing lessons from international efforts such as the FCC's MDRI. Future actions may involve further policy development, industry consultation, and potentially regulatory mandates to ensure a more comprehensive approach to disaster communication resilience.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are people talking about disaster roaming in Australia again?
Calls for disaster roaming have grown louder because the government launched a new alert system called AusAlert. People want to be sure they can use any mobile network during emergencies, not just their own.
Q: What is the new AusAlert system in Australia?
AusAlert is a new system that sends emergency alerts directly to mobile phones. It aims to provide faster warnings during natural disasters, moving away from just text messages.
Q: What is disaster roaming and why is it important for Australians?
Disaster roaming means your phone can connect to any mobile network, not just your usual one, when there's an emergency. This is important because it helps people in regional areas stay connected if their main network is down.
Q: Who is supporting the idea of disaster roaming in Australia?
Independent MP Helen Haines is leading the call for disaster roaming. She has support from the National Farmers' Federation (NFF), which says it's vital for protecting people in rural areas.
Q: Has any other country used a disaster roaming system?
Yes, the United States has a system called the Mandatory Disaster Response Initiative (MDRI). It requires mobile companies to help each other provide service during storms, with fines for not complying.
Q: Does the new AusAlert system solve the communication problem during disasters?
The AusAlert system helps send warnings, but critics say it doesn't fix the problem of phones not being able to connect to any network if their own provider's service is down. Disaster roaming is seen as a way to fix this.