Abstract: The Australian Government has announced that, for the first time, mobile will be subject to an Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO). The aim is to ensure that LEO satellite technology is deployed to expand voice, text, and ultimately data connectivity as widely as possible. 

In our view, this initiative goes in the wrong direction. The emergence of commercial options for regional telecommunications makes universal service policies less relevant. In fact, the opportunity to unwind obsolete USO arrangements is being missed.