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NBN to launch rural broadband service

National Broadband Network's (NBN) Interim Satellite Service launched for rural and remote Australia

Rural and remote Australians will soon have access to broadband services similar to their city cousins with the launch of the National Broadband Network's (NBN) Interim Satellite Service.

NBN Co is offering the service to residents, small businesses and indigenous communities in rural and remote Australia without current access to broadband comparable to that available in cities.

The company's aim was to deliver high-speed broadband access for Australians in rural areas as well as in cities and towns, NBN Co chief executive Mike Quigley said.

"The Interim Satellite Service will ensure broadband will reach those who need it the most so that they too can become active participants in the digital economy," he said on Friday.

"The retail service providers running the trial, Interim Satellite Service, with some of their existing customers have reported some very positive responses.

"For those eligible people on copper-based dial-up services, the Interim Satellite Service will be a whole new experience."

Mr Quigley said more Australians in non-metropolitan areas could benefit from the NBN.

"I look forward to seeing more people in rural and remote Australia using the National Broadband Network to gain improved access to education, health, business and government services," he said.

Eligible Australians in rural and remote areas could apply for a service through participating retail service providers.

Four retail service providers would offer the interim satellite services initially - Bordernet, Clear Networks, Harbour IT and SkyMesh.

Two more service providers, Activ8me (Australian Private Networks) and Reachnet, would begin in mid-July.

The interim satellite service would offer retail internet providers a wholesale broadband service for peak download speeds up to six megabits a second and upload speeds of up to one megabits a second.

This interim service would run until 2015 following the planned launch of two high-capacity satellites by NBN Co.

Satellite and fixed wireless services were expected to serve the seven per cent of Australian premises the proposed rollout of fibre optic cable did not reach.

Join the CIO Australia group on LinkedIn. The group is open to CIOs, IT Directors, COOs, CTOs and senior IT managers.

More about: Activ, etwork, Harbour IT, Quigley

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