nbn Sky Muster Plus & Premium

There are currently three types of nbn Sky Muster satellite plans, the following table highlights the difference between plans.

NB: Not all providers offer all types of nbn Sky Muster Plans. Please note iiNet no longer sell nbn satellite plans

Sky Muster Plus Premium

• Launched on 1st June 2023 the new nbn Sky Muster Plus Premium 100 is a new unmetered satellite plan with unlimited data for all applications, 24/7. This plan has speeds of up to 100mbps download and the ability to burst to 20mbps upload, when the network allows. This plan is the fourth Sky Muster Plus enhancement made by nbn since the introduction of plus plans in 2019
• The plan came to fruition after extensive lobbying from regional telecommunications advocates and the plan was trialed by selected customers during March, April & May 2023.
• On December 1st, 2023 two further plus premium plans with unlimited data were introduced – the nbn Sky Muster Plus Premium 50 (speeds of up to 50mbps download and the ability to burst to up to 10mbps upload) and nbn Sky Muster Plus Premium 25 (speeds of up to 25mbps download and 5 mbps upload).
• You can read about the differences between a normal nbn Sky Muster plan and a Plus Premium plans here.

nbn Sky Muster Plus Premium Plans are the best value for money plans currently available on nbn satellite. Thus, going forward BIRRR will only be offering comparison of these plans, and not other nbn Sky Muster plans.

BIRRR Sky Muster Plus Premium Comparison Table – Updated 02/01/2024

NB: Not all providers offer all types of nbn Sky Muster Plans. Links to providers can be located here

Refer to the BIRRR Guide on How To Choose an nbn Provider

NBN Fair Use Policies apply to SM+ and +Premium, to ensure the finite satellite capacity is responsibly shared among users.

• It is important to review the RSP’s Critical Information Summaries or CIS. The CIS was mandated by the ACCC to make it easy for customers to compare ISPs’ offerings. Don’t make a decision on price alone.
• Check the contract terms stated by the provider you choose, contracted plans are usually cheaper.
• Some providers may offer bonuses such as a month free, or a free router check with your provider regarding these offers.

If you already have a nbn Sky Muster installation, SM+ and +Premium plans do not require any additional equipment. In most cases you can use the equipment you already have.

Sky Muster Plus Timeline

• 12th August 2019: nbn Sky Muster plus version 1.0 was launched. No longer available.
• 1st April 2020: nbn Sky Muster Plus version 2.0 was launched. No longer available.
• 1st July 2022: nbn Sky Muster Plus version 3.0 was launched. This current Plus service offers a variety of plans with unmetered data for all usage from midnight to 4pm, with only VPN & video streaming counting from 4pm – midnight. Nbn Sky Muster plus plans have the ability to burst to 50Mbps download speed and 10Mbps upload speeds.
• 1st July 2023: nbn Sky Muster Premium plan launched offering burst speeds up to 100/20 Mbps and unlimited data.
• 1st December 2023: Two new nbn Sky Muster Plus Premium Plans introduced – the 50/10 and the 25/5 – both with 24/7 unlimited data, static IP addresses became available to purchase, TC1 (voice prioritisation) on nbn Sky Muster Plus Premium VOiP connections became available and the ability to have more than one connection per NBN NTD (modem/connection box) was announced.

Unmetered = data that is not measured or counted as part of your monthly usage, this is unlimited and you will never be slowed for unmetered data.

Metered = data that is measured or counted as part of your monthly usage – this is the data that will be counted in your Sky Muster Plus plan.

WHY HAVE SKY MUSTER PLANS BEEN ENHANCED OVER TIME?

BIRRR, along with other regional stakeholders have been discussing with nbn and the Federal Government ways to enhance the experience for Sky Muster users, to cater for the growth in data needs and make satellite plans more equitable when compared with metro plans.

nbn has been actively looking at ways to optimise Sky Muster, and have spent time reviewing the usage of users. After reviewing the data and conducting extensive research, nbn determined that there is a way to deliver extra capacity on the satellites and thus the new SM+ product was developed. Enhancements to Plus plans have been worked on since they were first launched in August 2019 and with the #COVID19 crisis, better plans were announced sooner to help those who were required to work and educate from home. nbn Sky Muster v 3.0 was released in July 2022 after regional stakeholders worked closely with nbn to ensure satellite users could access plans that met their data needs to run small businesses, educate children and keep up with the growing need for increased data in the regions.

If you are a BIRRR member who has participated in one of our Facebook Polls or surveys, then you have contributed to some of this research.

Developed for BIRRR by Kristy Sparrow, in conjunction with nbn & updated 02/01/2024

*Please note, while all care has been taken in compiling BIRRR documents, we recommend that you check with your service provider regarding your usage statistics, eligibility and best plans available.