nbn satellite tour kicks off in NSW: Regional NSW to take satellite service for a spin

More than 300 NSW famers will be among the first to test-drive nbn’s Sky Muster™ satellite service as part of a state roadshow launching this week.

Kicking off at the NSW Farmers Association’s Annual Conference in Sydney this week, the nbn’s custom-made Sky Muster™ truck is one of six satellite demonstration vehicles that will tour the country to showcase how nbn™ services can help bridge the digital divide for rural, regional and remote Australians.

Each vehicle carries a portable satellite antenna that allows Australians to get hands-on with services over the nbn™ network via a Wi-Fi hotspot powered by nbn’s SkyMuster™ satellite service.

The Sky Muster™ satellite, which was launched into space in 2015, was specifically designed to deliver access to fast broadband to the more than 400,000 homes and businesses in regional, rural and remote Australia, including 120,000 in NSW.

nbn spokesperson for NSW, Kelly Stevens, said:

“The satellite might be orbiting some 36,000kms away in space, but we’re taking the technology on the road to give locals the chance to take the Sky Muster™ service for a spin.

“The satellite service is the first of its kind in Australia and is set to change the way people in regional areas connect with their community, run their businesses, learn and access vital health services online.

“The roadshow will be a one-stop-shop for all things Sky Muster™ with nbn experts on hand to show people how the satellite service works, the benefits for homes and businesses and how to get connected through one of eight retail service providers.”

The roadshow will tour through south-east NSW, north-east NSW, the Monaro Plains and Northern NSW, including:

nbn’s NSW Sky Muster™ satellite roadshow schedule

A second Sky Muster™ satellite will launch on 5 October later this year and provide additional data capacity to support the delivery of the company’s world-leading satellite broadband service.

nbn’s Sky Muster™ satellite service is expected to provide wholesale broadband speeds of up to 25 Mbps download and up to 5 Mbps upload; significantly faster than those currently available in regional Australia.

Home and businesses interested in connecting to the Sky Muster™ should contact one of eight retail service providers offering nbn satellite packages. Providers can also help determine which plan will suit your needs, arrange installation and discuss timeframes for connection.

For more information about nbn’s SkyMuster™ service, visit: www.nbnco.com.au/connect-home-or-business/information-for-home/satellite.html

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For more information, visit www.nbn.com.au

Notes to editor

• nbn is building a new and upgraded, fast broadband network to ensure that all communities across Australia will have access to fast broadband. Our goal is to connect eight million homes and businesses by 2020.
• The nbn™ Sky Muster™ satellite service is designed to deliver wholesale broadband speeds of up to 25 Mbps download and up to 5 Mbps upload to retail service providers. Your experience including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ network depends on the technology over which services are delivered to your premises and some factors outside our control like your equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how your service provider designs its network.
• Internet service providers will provide retail plans at different price points and data allowances, so eligible resident and businesses can choose a plan that best suits their needs.
• There are currently over 37,000 users on the interim satellite service across Australia.  nbn™ is aiming to migrate interim satellite users onto the new satellite within one year of the commercial launch (May 2017), while at the same time migrating new users onto the service.