Launch of NBN services by satellite

APRIL 29, 2016: AN ESTIMATED 3195 homes and businesses in more isolated rural areas of the region can begin to connect to affordable, high-speed broadband with the launch of services on NBN’s Sky Muster satellite network today. This is great news for people in more rural pockets between Mackay and Townsville that will finally be able to access high speed internet, with download speeds of up to 25 megabits per second and uploads of up to 5 megabits.To be eligible to connect to the service, you must be outside of NBN’s fixed line and fixed wireless coverage areas, and you can find out if you are by visiting www.nbnco.com.au or freecall NBN on 1800 687 626.A variety of different broadband plans are available from providers and pricing compares favourably with current international and local commercial satellite and mobile internet plans.The Australian Government has invested $2 billion in two advanced Ka-band satellites and a network of ground stations that make up the Sky Muster service. Each service requires a professional installation of a new receiver dish and indoor modem. Many homes and businesses are still dependent on very basic internet access which makes even online banking or emailing difficult. Sky Muster will change all that for many thousands of Australians.Equal priority will be given to new customers and current NBN Interim Satellite Service users migrating to Sky Muster. Around 5,000 users per month will be connected in the early months of the rollout before scaling up to 10,000 installations per month later this year.More than 600 installers have been fully trained and are forecast to reach on average one to two premises per day due to safety considerations and extended traveling times involved in each installation.