From the explosion in video streaming and online banking to working and studying from home, access to fast and reliable broadband plays a vital role for people across Australia.

This is particularly so for those living in regional and remote parts of the nation.

nbn’s Sky Muster satellite service was established to ensure that even those in some of the most inaccessible and isolated parts of the continent have access to the social and economic opportunity that broadband connectivity provides.

And in the latest of a steady stream of enhancements designed to help deliver a better experience, Sky Muster Plus customers can now access more data. These will come at no extra wholesale cost. 

More data at no extra wholesale cost

Kristy Sparrow, Co-Founder at Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia, says it has never been more important for people in Australia – no matter where they live or work – to be connected.

“The changes will allow nbn Sky Muster Plus users to have more flexibility to use their satellite connection during the day, without data constraints, for the very first time.

“This will help transform regional users’ ability to access connectivity that help meet their needs and keeps up with current data demands. 

“BIRRR has advocated very strongly for nbn Sky Muster plans to be enhanced and we are pleased that this advocacy has resulted in better plans for business, health and education in the bush.”  

Continuous improvement for our customers

Since the launch of the original nbn Sky Muster satellite in 2015, Gavin says nbn has had the backs of people living in the bush when it comes to meeting their connectivity needs.

“Broadband demand has continued to grow and, as Australia’s digital backbone, nbn is determined to help cater to this demand and support the evolving needs of our customers.

“We have listened to feedback and monitored data usage trends with a view to continually improve delivery and customer experience for our satellite customers.”

Over time, other improvements to nbn’s Sky Muster products include⁴:

• Steadily enhancing the resilience of the satellite network
• Introducing greater data allowances and faster download speeds
• Removing the use of essential services, such as email and online banking, from monthly data allowances on nbn Sky Muster Plus.^1,2

“We will continue to listen to our customers and stakeholders and evolve our service as their needs change,” says Gavin.

From supporting people living in rural and remote parts of the nation, working from home and staying connected with loved ones during the pandemic, to helping keep remote First Peoples’ communities safe, and providing a vital lifeline for residents and emergency services during floods and bushfires, nbn’s Sky Muster satellite services have played a vital role.

“It’s important to remember that Sky Muster services are available across the country,” says Gavin.

“Just contact your preferred phone and internet provider for details on how you can sign up for a plan that suits your needs or, for existing nbn Sky Muster users, upgrade to Sky Muster Plus.” 

¹ Exclusions and fair use conditions apply. If you’re accessing your connection via a Virtual Private Network (VPN) between 4pm and 12am midnight, all activities will count towards your monthly data allowance. For more information on which traffic may be shaped to proactively protect the nbn™ broadband access and ensure fair access to the network for all users, and exclusions, visit nbnco.com.au/skymuster-plus or speak to your internet service provider. For details on fair use conditions, contact your internet service provider. 

² Note that, to proactively protect and ensure the fair access to the nbn™ broadband access network for all users, nbn may from time to time, at its discretion, shape the following data activities to maximum wholesale upload and download speeds of 256kbps:   

• uploads and downloads via peer to peer;  
• uploads and downloads to cloud storage platforms;  
• PC and smartphone operating system updates;  
• software/application updates;  
• gaming software updates;  
• any other data traffic related to applications which nbn cannot identify. 

Other data applications that nbn considers may cause adverse network impacts may also be added to the above list to be shaped, including streaming video and VPN outside of 4pm and 12am midnight. 

³ nbn will assess whether an installation is standard, because practical and optimal installations differ at different locations. End customers should contact their preferred internet service provider to ask about the retail prices they charge. 

⁴ nbn provides wholesale services to phone and internet providers. nbn™ wholesale plans and speed tiers available to providers vary depending on the access technology in your area. Your experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the  nbn™ broadband access network, depends on the  nbn™ access network technology and configuration over which services are delivered to your premises, whether you are using the internet during the busy period, and some factors outside of nbn’s control (like your equipment quality and software, chosen broadband plan, signal reception, or how your provider designs its network). Satellite end users may also experience latency.