Every residence in Australia will be able to access some form of NBN – either FIXED, FIXED WIRELESS or SATELLITE (also referred to as LTSS and Sky Muster) by 2020. Sky Muster (Satellite) services became available in April 2016, interim nbn satellite services (ISS) have now ceased.
You can see what type of nbn you are mapped for here: NBN Rollout MAP
There is lots of misinformation and myths surrounding the nbn rollout, you can read about some of them here: Myths About NBN Sky Muster
REMEMBER:
- Every Australian residence will be eligible for a nbn connection – even if you live really remotely.
- If you are currently using another form of internet such as mobile broadband, you are still eligible for nbn.
- Each residence is mapped for nbn, even if you have several houses on your property.
- If you are receiving an nbn Fixed Wireless or Satellite service, please keep your traditional landline, you do NOT have to switch your voice service, regardless of what you may be told by your existing provider.
- Sky Muster performs very differently to the old interim satellite. The interim satellite (ISS) had approximately 48,000 subscribers – larger-than-planned-for data plans were sold and the satellite became oversubscribed resulting in the FAIR USE POLICY and reduced data and speeds for users. The LTSS has 30 x the capacity of the ISS.
- HOW TO CONNECT
nbn Sky Muster Satellite connections are available now.
Choose your Sky Muster provider here.
Read our Preparing for Sky Muster document.
- ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
NBN satellite services are designed to provide internet services to homes and businesses that fall outside of the fixed line and fixed wireless areas in Australia and its external territories. The new NBN satellite (LTSS/Skymuster) will reach around 240,000 homes and businesses residing in the most isolated parts of Australia, including the outback and remote offshore territories. Homes and businesses must be within the satellite footprint.
Approximately 400,000 Australians are eligible for the LTSS but NBN are expecting around 240,000 subscribers.
NBN have allowed for additional capacity in case of more subscribers than expected. A second satellite (launched in October 2016) offers future capacity cover. The Sky Muster Satellites have a life span of around 16 years.
- DATA & PRICING
Data Limits are up to individual RSP’s (service providers) in line with nbn fair use policy. Internet service providers set the prices for the services available. NBN sets prices at the wholesale level and the uniform national wholesale price of $24 a month is the same for the basic 12Mbps service across fixed line/wireless/satellite. However, satellite capacity is a finite resource, meaning that internet service providers need to manage the download limits available to customers via their pricing and terms of the plans they offer. Check out the BIRRR comparison of Sky Muster providers to see what data allowances you can access.
Sky Muster Satellite data allowances are split into Peak & Off Peak Times.
- OFF PEAK Times*: 1am – 7am
- PEAK Times*: 7am – 1am.
- Hours apply to your local time zone.
*Governed by nbn™ – so will be the same with every provider.
An education port for eligible distance education and home school students is also available. Details are listed here.
- nbn SKY MUSTER FAIR USE POLICY
The nbn™ Sky Muster™ satellite service Fair Use Policy is in place to help ensure fair access to the service – especially during peak usage times. This Fair Use Policy applies between nbn and the provider.
Your provider will likely have a separate Fair Use Policy which applies to your premises – as satellite capacity is a limited resource. Some providers may have less capacity, which may not be noticed during off-peak times. But during peak hours, when there is more traffic, congestion may occur if your provider does not have enough network capacity- this can lead to slower speeds and the occasional ‘buffering’.
nbn™ Sky Muster Fair Use Policy
- nbn co requires each customer to limit their Data Usage to no more than 150 GB in any four week period.
- Furthermore, nbn co requires each customer to limit their Peak Hour Data Usage to no more than 75 GB in any four week period.
- nbn co requires all RSPs to limit their average customer Peak Hour Data Usage to no more than 30 GB of downloads and no more than 5 GB of uploads in any four week period.
- SPEED
Sky Muster has delivered significantly improved speeds and capacity to remote and regional areas compared to what was previously available on the Interim Satellite Service (ISS). A Fair Use Policy applies on the service to ensure that performance and quality of service standards are not degraded by high-volume users. Sky Muster offers peak wholesale download speeds of up to 25Mbps and upload speeds of up to 5 Mbps. Consult with your provider as to what speed tier will best suit you.
Speeds actually achieved over the Sky Muster network, depend on the technology over which services are delivered to premises and some factors outside nbn control like equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how the end user’s service provider designs its network.
- EQUIPMENT
Once you place an order for Sky Muster with your chosen provider, a nbn technician will make an appointment to install the equipment needed (a roof or pole mounted dish and an internal modem). A standard installation of the equipment is currently free. However, end users should ask their preferred provider if they have any other fees such as activation fees or fees for routers etc as each provider currently differs. If you require wifi from your Sky Muster service you will need to have a compatible router, contact your provider to discuss your options.
- VOICE
Homes and businesses with Sky Muster connections can use VoIP services, if this is supported by their retail service provider. However unlike the fibre offering, the satellite terminating box inside a premises doesn’t include a port to plug in a phone. You will need a router to plug in your VOIP compatible phone.
It is important to remember copper and traditional phone services (such as HCRC, Radio phones & NGWL) will still be maintained in areas to be served by fixed wireless and satellite, so customers have the option of retaining their existing phone service. BIRRR recommends keeping your existing landline.
Footnote: All information compiled from BIRRR discussions with NBN contacts & NBN website, and is current as at 17/08/18
NBN SKY MUSTER FACTS DOCUMENT prepared by Kristy Sparrow for BIRRR updated 17/08/18
Better Internet for Rural, Regional & Remote Australia (BIRRR) 