At the very minimum 000 needs to be available through any available network. Just like it used to be.
this post was submitted on 13 Jul 2026
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It doesn't fallover to other networks now? I thought that was still a thing but admittedly I haven't been following things super closely there.
I'm not an expert in the modern comms protocols but I gather that ability was lost when the mobile protocols became packet-switched data-only protocols.
3G and below were "circuit switched" and internally made temporary "circuit" connections for calls. With the dedicated part of the protocol for making voice calls, any calls to 000 could be identified directly on the network and routed by them regardless of subscriber. LTE and later protocols only deliver data as IP packets, and no other special payloads, and do not keep track of connection/circuit state. On 4G+ voice "calls" are Voice over IP, sent as data packets on the network and treated the same as other data packets.
For the 4G or later networks to handle 000 calls especially, it has to let everyone connect to allow a locked down type of data roaming, and allow that roaming to only connect to the Voice over IP for 000. Which is entirely technically feasible, just requires more effort from the networks.
I understand what's in this for us, for Optus and Vodafone.
But what's in this for Telstra?
"Great job deploying all those towers in places where the other carriers don't cover. Now give access to those towers to your competitors' customers"
I mean, I want this - I'm on the Telstra network explicitly for the better coverage. If I could get that same coverage on any carrier, I would no longer feel the need to be on the Telstra network. But at the same time, the very fact that this change could lead to Telstra losing thousands of customers makes me understand why they'd fight this kicking and screaming for all they are worth.
It's almost like privatisation of infrastructure has always been a terrible idea 😯
This one's a little more nuanced. The government owned (and sold off) the old copper phone lines. And yes, that sale hurt the people for two decades.
The government did not have 5G data towers. Hell, they didn't have 3G data towers. There were some 2G towers, but most of the mobile network at the time of the Telecom sale was analogue.
They have had government assistance/incentives while deploying mobile towers in rural areas, but they have pretty-much always privately owned their mobile telephony infrastructure.
My thesis on this is that instead of having a private company build and own the telecom networks (and have a monopoly in many regions), and then customers pay for it, we could save money as a community by just building it ourselves, like we once used to, and selling the services at cost (or less than cost depending what the infrastructure is, like roads or trains)
I remain pretty sceptical that privatisation has ever been a net good for the community, ever.
I agree that is the best approach. And so did Kevin Rudd. You're describing NBNCo, and I think that's been a success - despite a decade of lies and resistance from the coalition about its successes. The two big issues with this approach are:
- What we saw with the NBN: The political party who doesn't build it will smear it and taint it with the populace.
- Eventually, the government could look at this lovely piece of infrastructure as a huge asset that it can sell for a quick buck to fund some shiny thing.
As a Vodaphone user, I might actually be able to use my phone.
Jk, nobody uses Vodaphone
I had access to Vodafone internet via 5G while Telstra mobile shat the bed.
I could still make/receive calls SMS etc via VoWifi, so they got a thumbs up from me.