Senator TIERNEY(10.22 p.m.) —Tonight in this adjournment debate I want to raise the issue of the coming phase-out of the analog mobile telephone system in this country. The decision to close the AMPS analog network was made by the previous Labor government, and the coalition has agreed to proceed with the phase-out of analog services by the year 2000.

There are a number of reasons for proceeding with the analog phase-out. The AMPS analog network is placing a technological barrier to competition, as the information superhighway rolls out across Australia and the introduction of the GSM digital technology opens up the market to three carriers. Competition in this sector has delivered lower cost calls and increased service delivery across the country.

The licences issued to the carriers include terms requiring the closure of the analog service by the year 2000. Failure to honour these licence conditions could expose the Commonwealth to action from the carriers. Telstra, Optus and Vodafone have invested substantial sums of money in mobile digital infrastructure. They have all configured their business operations on the basis that the AMPS analog system will cease in Australia by the year 2000.

The closure of the analog system has been criticised by a group called APUMP, the Association for the Protection of Users of Mobile Phones. The thrust of their criticism is that the government is ignoring the legitimate concerns of regional mobile telephone users who rely on analog services. One of the main purposes in my speaking tonight is to put to rest this rather misleading campaign being run by APUMP. They are suggesting that analog will disappear and that regional Australia will be left without mobile services. That is clearly untrue, and I will explain the reasons for my saying that.

The misinformation that is being spread by APUMP could, indeed, encourage people in regional Australia to sell or trade their analog phones before actually needing to do so. The Association for the Protection of Users of Mobile Phones are making assertions about the policy that simply are not correct. Their claim that the government is ignoring the concerns of regional mobile telephone users is ill-informed nonsense. APUMP has, in a mischievous way, chosen to ignore the key elements of the government's policy on the phase-out of analog mobile services. The phase-out is planned, and it is linked to a number of safeguards—safeguards specifically designed to reduce inconvenience to mobile users, especially customers in rural and regional Australia.

Let me put on the public record the commitment given by the government and the minister, Senator Alston, in ushering in this necessary changeover. We intend to manage the upgrading of the mobile networks, being fully aware of the particular concerns of consumers in rural and regional Australia. The controlled phase-out of analog will continue to improve the service standard and competition of mobile telecommunications in this country. We intend to encourage new mobile players into the Australian market.

Our policy management approach to the upgrade is on the basis of this principle of a controlled phased changeover. In the transition period, regional and rural consumers will not lose access to analog until the digital network alternative is put in place.

The minister has set out a clear promise to regional consumers in recent weeks. The government will retain some AMPS analog spectrum in each existing rural planned service area, until alternative technology to deliver mobile telephony of equivalent or better quality is available. The AMPS analog spectrum will stay in those rural areas where the review of mobile services show that alternative technology will not deliver the similar service and coverage. Clearly, the minister is doing everything possible to respond to the needs of regional and rural mobile service users.

In line with our election commitment, the government is consulting widely on the need to effect a smooth transition from analog technology to digital technology. Consumer groups have figured prominently in this policy and this consultation. These groups include the Australian Telecommunications Users Group, the Consumers Telecommunications Network, the Australian Consumers Association and the National Farmers Federation. I am quite concerned that the Association for the Protection of Mobile Phone Users is so out of step on this issue; their claims lack credibility and they are spreading misinformation.

The Minister for Communications, the Information Economy and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston, is to be congratulated for managing this transition period to the benefit of all mobile customers. While moving to upgrade mobile telephony, regional and rural customers, and their particular concerns, are foremost in the government's mind.