Telstra and TPG deal to share mobile networks in Australia’s regions struck down by ACCC

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission finds deal would lessen competition and leave consumers worse off

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The competition watchdog has struck down a plan for Telstra and TPG to share mobile networks in regional parts of Australia, finding the arrangement would lessen competition in mobile telecommunications.

The deal would have resulted in TPG decommissioning about 700 Vodafone mobile sites in order to use 3,700 Telstra mobile sites in a network sharing agreement across 4G and 5G. It would have increased the reach of Vodafone's mobile network in regional and remote parts of Australia - increasing coverage from 96% to 98.8% of the Australian population.