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Ground patrol shows off Sky Muster

30 August 2016

nbn’s broadband vehicle – a touring wifi hotspot - is on its way

 

A highly sophisticated purpose-built truck will be touring the Northern Territory in the week beginning September 5 to demonstrate the full capabilities of nbn’s Sky Muster satellite and fixed wireless services.

 

Road Muster is a converted four-wheel drive vehicle that features a carbon-fibre satellite dish capable of finding and transmitting broadband from a Sky Muster signal anywhere in Australia.

 

It is equipped with two large touch-screen television/computers, carries its own power source and is designed to reach the most remotes parts of the country in the most rugged terrain.

 

“If they can’t come to us – we’ll go to them,” said Jill Bottrall, nbn State Corporate Affairs manager for SA & NT.

 

“Now that the Sky Muster satellite is switched on and is taking orders, the best way we can demonstrate its speed and effectiveness as a fast, reliable broadband service is to bring it to the people.

 

“The truck itself is a wifi hotspot, so if people want to bring their laptops or tablets they can join in the fun.”

 

Ms Bottrall says there are thousands of people living in regional and remote areas that have either very bad or no internet services at all.

 

“Sky Muster is about to bridge the digital divide and transform the lives and business practices of remote Australians, so the Road Muster truck is an important tool that allows us to show exactly what online experience people can get from a satellite connection.”

 

Ms Bottrall says nbn is well aware that while only three per cent of all premises in Australia will have a Sky Muster connection, that nonetheless represents more than 11,000 homes and businesses in the NT.

 

“We understand that everyone needs fast, reliable telecommunications to stay ahead of the game and compete at the national and international level – and especially so in regional and remote areas.

 

“Whether people work remotely in education, health, tourism, agriculture, transport or fisheries, the introduction of fast reliable phone and internet services is going to have a transformative impact on the way they do business.

 

“The Sky Muster is the most sophisticated and fastest broadband satellite in the world – and provides greater speeds and data allowances than any other satellite in orbit.

 

Road Muster is capable of setting up in the middle of nowhere and live-streaming television or skyping someone from across the world while checking emails and uploading photos to the cloud, simultaneously.”

 

A second satellite, Sky Muster II, is due to launch in early October this year.

 

People can check whether they are able to get a Sky Muster or fixed wireless connection by typing their address into the Check Your Address tab on the home page of the nbn website at www.nbnco.com.au

 

Road Muster schedule for Northern Territory

 

September 5

 

NT Farmers event, Coolalinga

 

 

September 6

 

 

Douglas Daly (Community Hall)

 

 

September 7

 

Katherine

 

 

September 8

 

Tennant Creek

 

 

September 9 - 12

 

Alice Springs

 

 

September 13

 

Yulara

 

 

 

Media enquiries

Jill Bottrall

nbn™ Media Hotline

Email: jillbottrall@nbnco.com.au

Phone: 02 9927 4200

Mobile: 0488 535 733

Mobile: media@nbnco.com.au

 

nbn provides services to its wholesale customers, telephone and internet service providers, and does not provide services directly to end users. End user 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 equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how the end user’s service provider designs its network.

For more information, visit www.nbn.com.au/switchoff or call 1800 687 626.

 

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Road Muster on its way to NT

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