One giant leap towards better broadband for regional and remote Australia.

nbn has successfully launched its first broadband satellite into orbit this morning.

Blasting 36,000 kms into space from the Guiana Space Centre in South America, Sky Muster is one of the world’s most-advanced communication satellites and will play a critical role in providing fast broadband access to around 400,000 Australian homes and businesses.

nbn CEO Bill Morrow said the satellite will provide access to fast broadband for the parts of Australia that need it most.

“With the launch of Sky Muster, we’re one step closer to changing the digital face of our nation," Morrow said, "Australians in rural and remote areas which have traditionally struggled to access fast internet will have the opportunity to video-conference friends and family, study courses online and visit doctors from their lounge room."

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“Many homes and businesses in regional and rural Australia still rely on slow internet speeds and have little or no access to a commercial broadband service – this satellite will help to close the divide and ensure no-one gets left behind.”

Over the coming months, the satellite will undergo final technical testing ahead of its commercial launch scheduled for mid-2016.

Once available, the satellite service is expected to provide peak wholesale speeds significantly faster than those used now in regional and remote areas.