Government taking steps towards public safety mobile broadband

The federal government has released a request for information (RFI) for a national public safety mobile broadband (PSMB) network, with expectations of following through sometime in the 2025–26 financial year.

A national public safety mobile broadband or PSMB service has been discussed since 2009, but has received a boost following a 2022 review. Since than a PSMB Taskforce commenced operations in August 2023 and is creating the framework to deliver the PSMB.

The taskforce is led by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and is supported by other Australian Government bodies, including the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA), as well as state and territory government agencies.

The PSMB Taskforce has engaged with the telecommunications industry to identify a plan for industry engagement and the pathway to delivering a national PSMB capability. More information for industry organisations can be found on the PSMB Industry Engagement webpage.

“A national public safety mobile broadband capability will be the most significant uplift in communications capability for Australian public safety agencies in decades,” the government said in RFI documents released last week. “It will provide … personnel with fast, safe and secure data, video and voice communications and near instant access to data, images and information in live situations, emergencies and critical incidents.”

The government indicated it is open to a range of different operating models, from a dedicated network to one that runs entirely on existing cellular infrastructure.

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