In May 2012, AGIMO completed a review of the Whole-of-Government Telecommunications Commodities, Carriage and Associated Services Panel (the Mobile Phone Panel).

The review found that the Panel arrangement did not offer satisfactory value for money when compared with other methods of supply for commodity hardware products such as mobile handsets and accessories.  The review also found that agency purchasing needs did not result in sufficient aggregation of volume to attract significant price discounts.

Consequently, AGIMO has decided to further simplify mobile phone procurement by permanently removing the accessories category for mobile handsets from the scope of services and to implement a moratorium on the mandatory use of the Panel by FMA agencies for mobile handsets. The moratorium came into effect on 23 July 2012 and will remain in place for up to 12 months.

AGIMO will shortly commence a more extensive review of the Panel to consider options for improving the supply arrangements for mobile devices to the Australian Government. AGIMO will consult with industry and agencies to find a suitable solution.

The Panel remains in place for the purchase of mobile voice and data carriage services for which it continues to offer value for money.

For more information on the Panel: http://finance.gov.au/procurement/ict-procurement/telecommunications.html#Teleict