nbn Satellite provides fixed broadband to premises across rural and remote Australia where nbn Fixed Line or nbn Fixed Wireless is not available.
nbn operates as a wholesale network, which means consumers order an nbn Satellite service through a participating Retail Service Provider (RSP) rather than directly from nbn. Since 2016, nbn Satellite services have been delivered using Sky Muster, which uses two geostationary (GEO) satellites orbiting approximately 36,000 kilometres above Earth.
➡️ nbn Sky Muster Explained
nbn is preparing to transition its satellite network from Sky Muster to a new Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite service powered by Amazon Leo. nbn LEO will be progressively available to homes and businesses across the nbn satellite footprint, starting from mid-2027. LEO satellites operate much closer to Earth, providing the opportunity for lower latency and an improved broadband experience for rural and remote consumers.
The nbn technology available to your premises is determined by your address. If your premises is mapped for nbn Satellite, you can order a service through a participating nbn Retail Service Provider (RSP).
➡️ Check Your Address with nbn
Current nbn Sky Muster Information
Until the transition to nbn LEO occurs, eligible premises can continue to connect using nbn Sky Muster. There are currently two main types of residential nbn Sky Muster plans:
Sky Muster Standard
Sky Muster Standard plans have a monthly data allowance, with data usage counted against the allowance. Current wholesale speed options include 12/1 Mbps and 25/5 Mbps.
nbn Sky Muster Plus Premium
Sky Muster Plus Premium provides unlimited data usage, subject to nbn’s Fair Use Policy and shaping conditions. There are currently three wholesale speed tiers, including plans with maximum wholesale speeds up to 100 Mbps download. Actual speeds experienced can vary due to factors including network conditions, weather, equipment, Wi-Fi and usage during busy periods.
Choosing a Sky Muster Provider and Plan
nbn is a wholesale network, so you need to order a Sky Muster service through a participating Retail Service Provider (RSP). Not all RSPs offer Sky Muster services or sell every Sky Muster plan or speed tier, and providers can differ in pricing, equipment, customer support and service experience.
➡️ Find nbn Sky Muster Providers
➡️ BIRRR Guide to choosing an nbn Provider, Plan & Equipment
➡️ Compare current nbn Sky Muster plans
pathway.
Choosing a Sky Muster Provider and Plan
nbn is a wholesale network, so you need to order a Sky Muster service through a participating Retail Service Provider (RSP).
Not all RSPs offer every Sky Muster plan or speed tier, and providers can differ in pricing, equipment, customer support and service experience.
Before ordering, check:
- which Sky Muster plans and speed tiers the provider offers
- the monthly price and any additional fees
- whether a Wi-Fi router is included and what it costs
- installation and equipment arrangements
- contract length and cancellation costs
- customer and technical support arrangements
- any provider-specific Fair Use Policy or other service conditions.
➡️ Find nbn Sky Muster Providers
➡️ Choosing an nbn Provider, Plan & Equipment
That lets us retire the old very specific advice about BPay, credit-card fees, “don’t lock yourself into 12/24 months”, three-year-old routers etc. The general provider page can deal with those issues properly.
Equipment and Installation
An nbn Sky Muster connection generally requires a satellite dish installed at the premises and an nbn connection box (NTD) inside the premises.
The satellite equipment needs a suitable location with the required view of the sky. nbn currently provides professional installation and equipment at no wholesale cost for Sky Muster Plus Premium services.
Your RSP can advise what additional equipment you need, including a Wi-Fi router.
If you already have an nbn Sky Muster connection and are simply changing provider or plan, don’t assume you need a new satellite installation. Check with your new RSP before purchasing or replacing equipment.
Power and nbn Satellite
I would definitely add this, given the direction of the rest of the BIRRR site.
nbn Sky Muster requires electricity at your premises to operate the satellite equipment, nbn connection box and your Wi-Fi router. Your internet connection will not operate during a power outage unless the required equipment has a suitable backup power supply.
If connectivity during power outages is important to you, consider your backup power and communications arrangements.
➡️ Power & Your Communications
This also becomes increasingly relevant once you build the LEO migration information.
Weather, Performance and Reliability
I’d add a short section rather than hiding this issue:
Like other satellite services, Sky Muster can be affected by weather and environmental conditions. Your experience can also be affected by network conditions, your plan, Wi-Fi setup, equipment and the number of devices using the connection.
If your service is regularly dropping out or performing poorly, first determine whether the problem is with the nbn satellite connection, your RSP, your Wi-Fi/network equipment or equipment within your premises before purchasing replacement equipment.
Then link to troubleshooting.
➡️ nbn Sky Muster Troubleshooting Guide