AGIMO consults industry on stalled mobile panel

The Federal Government has sought industry feedback on a telecommunications panel that was frozen last year after failing to deliver sufficient value for money.

AGIMO established the mandatory Telecommunications Commodities, Carriage and Associated Services Panel in January 2011 and put a 12-month hold on it last July.

At the time, the panel had facilitated at least 26 deals worth more than $6.5 million in total.

AGIMO said the panel worked well for procuring mobile voice and data services, but "did not offer satisfactory value for money" for mobile devices and accessories.

The agency today called for comments from the public on the panel, seeking feedback on its scope and how procurement arrangements might be improved to deliver greater efficiencies.

“[AGIMO’s review of the panel] is to consider options for improving the supply arrangements for mobile devices to the Australian Government by consulting with industry and agencies to find suitable solutions,” assistant secretary Mundi Tomlinson wrote.

“As part of Finance’s ongoing consultations, Finance is considering how it may achieve better value for money in the procurement of mobile telecommunication devices and services generally, including associated carriage services.”

AGIMO’s call for feedback closes on 31 May.