HVIA has written to Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells highlighting the significant impacts that recent telecommunications outages can have on Australia’s heavy vehicle industry and calling for greater recognition of telecommunications as critical transport infrastructure.
The correspondence (available here) follows the nationwide Telstra outage in July, which disrupted mobile services across Australia and exposed the freight sector’s growing reliance on reliable telecommunications networks.
While widespread attention focused on the impacts on consumers, EFTPOS services and emergency communications, HVIA’s letter points to the consequences for transport operators that depend on continuous connectivity to safely manage vehicles, drivers and freight movements.
Today’s heavy vehicle fleets increasingly utilise electronic work diaries, telematics monitoring systems, on-board mass technology and other connected platforms to meet regulatory requirements and improve safety and productivity. These systems rely on uninterrupted telecommunications services to provide real-time oversight of vehicle operations.
HVIA Chief Executive Officer Todd Hacking says the outage highlighted an emerging policy issue that requires greater attention from government.
“Telecommunications are no longer just a communications tool for freight operators. They are an essential component of modern heavy vehicle operations and increasingly underpin safety, compliance and productivity outcomes across the supply chain,” he says.
The letter notes that major network outages can reduce visibility of driver fatigue events, welfare alerts, dangerous goods movements, vehicle location data and compliance monitoring systems.
For fleet managers responsible for hundreds of vehicles, the ability to monitor and respond to issues in real-time can be critical.
HVIA has recommended several policy measures for consideration by the Australian Government, including:
> Minimum standards for enterprise communications during major telecommunications outages;
> Free access to real-time outage information through standardised reporting and machine-readable interfaces;
> Public reporting by telecommunications carriers on outage communication performance;
> Investigation of emergency domestic roaming arrangements during major declared outages;
> A review of the interaction between telecommunications failures and heavy vehicle compliance obligations; and
> Establishment of a Government-Industry Transport Telecommunications Resilience Working Group.
HVIA also emphasised that operators require better access to timely and accurate outage information. Members reported that during the Telstra incident they often relied on media reports, customer feedback and informal channels to understand the scope and duration of disruptions.
As connected vehicle technologies, 5G-enabled transport systems and automated driving functions continue to develop, HVIA believes telecommunications resilience must be recognised as a national freight and transport priority.