Sky Muster Satellites could hold the answer to regional connectivity problems

Politicians say the satellites, the first of which was launched into space in October and will go live on May 1, should ease some of the pressure on bush communications. 

THE MP representing Parkes, the western NSW electorate at the roughest end of the city-country digital divide, says the National Broadband Network’s (NBN’s) Sky Muster satellite will reduce unwanted telecommunication traffic jams.

“People are using more and more data from the voice towers (for mobile phones) and data services are getting worse due to congestion,” Mr Coulton said.

“We need to note, the mobile phone network and the NBN are completely separate.

“Sky Muster satellite service and rural towns getting fixed connections to the NBN will ease pressure on mobile network.”

NBN plans to fly two satellites in total by the end of the year, supported by a network of 10 ground stations with two satellite dishes.

The stations were constructed in locations across Australia to maximise both the reach and capacity of the system. The Sky Muster satellites have each been designed to deliver broadband services to more than 200,000 rural and remote homes and businesses.

While some of The Land’s readers and Facebook users have expressed doubt the satellites will alleviate their connectivity problems, Harbour ISP spokesman Geoff Anson said regional communities have a lot to look forward to.

Harbour ISP is a regional service provider of the new satellite broadband services and has been one of three providers testing the capabilities of the satellites. 

“It’s fast and it’s reliable – so much so that people in the bush will be able to watch Netflix,” Mr Anson said.

He expects regional Australians will be happy with the service. He said even if they’re subscribed to another internet plan, Sky Muster will still be available to them.  

“I spend my time traveling around the country talking to Australians about their internet needs and I can tell you from the testing we’ve done the majority of people will be satisfied with what it delivers.” 

While each household subscribed to the service will have a data limit, Mr Anson said internet providers of the satellites have been granted the powers by the federal government to provide extra data for distance education students.

They can offer up to 50 gigabytes per month of data per student, up to three students per household with such services. The intention is to provide distance education students with their own data allowance that it is entirely separate to other home services. Remote schools are also eligible for extra data. 

Mr Anson said the Sky Muster satellites will also allow many rural fire stations to connect to the internet for the first time.

“Often rural fire stations are in remote locations without existing telecommunication infrastructure. Once the satellites go live they will be able to connect with them – they just need to be able to see the sky and they can connect.”

A further benefit of the satellites, Mr Anson said, was they could support voice over IP services meaning a telephone call could be made using the internet.