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Why Australia's new telco coverage maps still don't match what customers get
Signals measured by customers in mapped moderate-coverage zones register below -115dBm, the threshold that officially means no coverage at all.
Australia's new mandated telco coverage maps, published June 30, show many customers should have signal, yet real-world readings fall below -115dBm, the official threshold for no coverage. Telstra says physical testing at every location is impractical; maps rely on computer modelling.
One resident 3km from a tower measured -119dBm outside. Advocates want a single national map, as the UK, US, and New Zealand already provide.
- June 30, 2026
- Published date
- -115dBm
- No-coverage threshold
- -119dBm outside (4G)
- Hinten's measured signal
- 3 kilometres
- Distance to tower
Why it mattersRegional residents use coverage maps when choosing homes or phone plans; inaccurate predictions leave them paying for service they cannot access.
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