Telcos finally switch on disaster mobile roaming for emergencies

The big three mobile networks have joined forces to keep Aussies better connected in times of crisis. 

Temporary Disaster Roaming (TDR) is now an option when regional areas are impacted by extreme weather events, including severe storms, floods and bushfires. Once activated, the service allows your phone to connect to another available mobile network, if your usual network is down.

For example, if you’re an Optus customer in a disaster area where Optus coverage has been impacted, you may be able to roam on the Telstra or Vodafone/TPG networks while TDR is live. Telstra has confirmed it may also allow Optus and Vodafone customers to access its network in disaster-affected areas where Telstra is normally the only network available. 

It’s important to remember that temporary roaming isn’t necessary for you to contact emergency services in a disaster. Across Australia you can still call Triple Zero through any available network, no matter your telco – your phone will automatically connect without the need for TDR.

How do I connect to temporary roaming in a disaster?

The good news: you don’t need to be on a phone plan from Telstra, Optus or Vodafone to use TDR. Every telco in Australia will have access to disaster roaming where available, as all mobile providers operate on either the Telstra, Optus or Vodafone/TPG network. 

If your usual mobile network is down and disaster roaming has been activated in your area, your phone will connect to an alternative network automatically. You won’t need to do anything to opt-in to the service, and you’ll have access to it as long as your telco keeps it switched on. 

You may notice the network name on the top-left corner of your phone’s screen has changed. Instead of your telco’s name, you may see a different network or ‘Disaster Roaming’ listed – this will confirm that TDR is active. 

Once connected, you can use TDR to make or receive calls to mobile numbers and landlines, and send and receive text messages. You may also have limited access to data: while you won’t be able to stream video or download files, you should be able to use messaging apps like WhatsApp, or access updates from emergency services. 

Disaster roaming is 100% free to use, so you won’t be hit with any surprise charges to your phone bill. However, it’s only available in regional and rural areas, so it’s not an option for Australians living in major cities.

What are the limitations of temporary roaming?

Disaster roaming activation is dependent on Telstra, Optus and Vodafone/TPG’s assessment of  an impacted area. Locations will also need to be covered by the Telstra network, so TDR won’t be available where the only normal coverage is limited to Optus or Vodafone. It also won’t work in a total power outage, or if all three networks are unavailable. 

It can only be switched on in three areas of Australia at once, and these areas must be at least 400 kilometres apart. This means that in regions where disaster impacts are extensive, the telcos may need to prioritise which areas need coverage the most. 

TDR isn’t a permanent service: it’s only available during natural disasters, and only when activated by Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. To switch it on, a telco must identify that its network is down, then request temporary roaming across the affected region. 

Once switched on, TDR will run for around 24 hours, although this can be extended if the impacts of a disaster are ongoing. The telcos may choose to deactivate roaming sooner if conditions change. 

Is disaster roaming enough to keep Australians connected?

Disaster roaming is designed to complement, not replace, the existing Triple Zero accessibility built into phones. It also works alongside other ways to connect in regional Australia, such as satellite text messaging and free payphones.

Telco watchdog the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has welcomed TDR, but argues that a permanent roaming agreement, not just during disasters, is still the better option. 

“Public safety cannot rest on voluntary arrangements that the telcos can choose to turn on and off,” ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said.

“At a minimum, we should see mandated Temporary Disaster Roaming arrangements – at best we should mandate domestic roaming.”

In August this year, the Australian Consumer Competition Commission (ACCC) commenced a 12-month inquiry into mobile coverage, which will determine if regulation is required to make network sharing and domestic roaming mandatory. 

While Optus and Vodafone have a network sharing agreement in regional areas, there’s currently no Australia-wide domestic roaming agreement between the three major telcos.

An expanded agreement would allow Aussies to automatically jump on another network in areas where their own provider’s isn’t available – giving rural customers not just better coverage, but also more choice in telcos and plans.