NBN is facing new challenges as Starlink, Elon Musk's internet company, begins to enter the Australian market. As the company's initial move to keep up with the competition. NBN Co is beginning to offer internet access to Australian households with half the price.

NBN Satellite Service Coverage

March 25th marked the beginning of the expansion of the NBN Business Satellite Service's coverage in Australia. NBN Co announced that the company will continue to expand in the whole of Australia as well as its nearby islands. Together with the expansion announcement, NBN Co also informed its current market that its wholesale service prices are set to feature a significant drop.

Minister of Communications Paul Fletcher announced, "In addition to the expanded coverage, NBN Co will reduce the wholesale price by approximately 40% or the Business Satellite Services Access Bandwidth Service Level 3 dedicated product."

Australians, both old and new consumers under the NBN Co network business plans, will be able to access cheaper wholesale internet speeds of up to 50/13 Mbps, with provisions for unlimited data and better connectivity, a plus that is critical in core business operations and applications. The move is a clear and obvious response from NBN as Elon Musk's Starlink threatens to be a major player in the internet service industry in the country.

Before the announcement, NBN Co's Business Satellite Service was not available in certain areas in Australia. However, such moves from NBN is a clear indication that they are investing efforts to expand satellite NBN services, most likely this year, before Elon Musk's Starlink service hits the Australian market this 2021.

NBN’s Current Services Versus Starlink’s Promise

NBN is making its services more accessible to more areas in Australia, at a more affordable price as a new competitor threatens to enter the market. Starlink is already committing faster internet connectivity, with speeds over 100Mbps with no data caps as it enters the Australian market. However, tagged at a higher price compared to unlimited internet plans that are currently available in the market, Australia is yet to see and experience what this new player in the ISP industry has to offer.

Elon Musk is one of the most celebrated entrepreneurs and businessmen of this generation. Known as the founder of modern technologies such as PayPal, SpaceX and Tesla motors, the multimillionaire has also entered the telecommunication industry through its start-up company, Zip2, a division of Compaq Computers.

Meanwhile, NBN Co is one of the largest internet service providers in Australia and currently holds the most number of consumers in the country. It is well-known for its high-speed internet services, but are still unavailable in some parts of the country.

A More Affordable Range of NBN Plans

NBN Co's decision to cut down its prices simply means that the company is not throwing down the towel and is gearing up for a fight to remain as one of the leading providers of internet service in Australia. Will NBN Co manage to become victorious over the visions of tech mogul and entrepreneur Elon Musk? Starlink's entry to the Australian market is just a step the entrepreneur must take to see if NBN Co is indeed built for the competition.