Optus expertise to provide tracking, telemetry and control services

NBN Co today announced that Optus has secured the contract to operate NBN Co’s two purpose-built satellites that aim to deliver high speed broadband across rural and remote Australia.

The five year contract, with options to extend for up to 15 years, was awarded following a competitive tender.

Under the contract Optus will provide tracking, telemetry and control services in connection with NBN’s Long Term Satellite Service. The two satellites currently under construction are scheduled to launch in 2015.

Matt Dawson, Program Director Satellite at NBN Co, said the company was committed to delivering fast broadband to Australians and it made sense to use modern satellite communications to serve around 200,000 homes, farms and businesses in rural and remote areas, including Australia’s overseas territories.

“Satellite broadband will help bridge the divide between the city and the bush. The two new NBN satellites are designed to deliver a dedicated broadband service for remote parts of the country at speeds people in the city take for granted.

“NBN Co’s Interim Satellite service reached capacity in December 2013 after 48,000 premises ordered a service. To be able to provide fast broadband to rural and remote areas of Australia, the launch of NBN Co’s two new dedicated Long Term Satellites is crucial.”

 

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Notes to editors

• NBN Co is building 10 satellite ground stations and plans to install two 13.5 metre ViaSat satellite antennas at eight facilities, as well as four antennas at two of the facilities.
• Wolumla near Merimbula NSW, Bourke in north-western NSW and Broken Hill in NSW; Ceduna South Australia; Geraldton and Geeveston in Tasmania;  Waroona, Carnarvon and Kalgoorlie in Western Australia and Roma in Queensland.
• For more information, visit nbnco.com.au

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