NBN Sky Muster Satellite plans
NBN Sky Muster Satellite is a great way to stay connected, especially if you live in a rural or remote area. Learn more in this quick guide!
Get connected with NBN Sky Muster Satellite for reliable Internet, perfect for rural or remote living. Enjoy speeds of up to 25Mbps download and 5Mbps upload, allowing you to stream, game, and work from home with ease.
Choose from two available plans to fit your needs. This simple guide helps you explore NBN Sky Muster Satellite plans and select the best one for you.
Satellite NBN offers reliable Internet for those who are in rural and remote areas outside standard signal tower coverage.
The satellite NBN connection involves signal transmission between a rooftop satellite dish and the NBN Co Sky Muster Satellite, serving over 200,000 homes and businesses with dependable Internet at speeds of up to 25Mbps.
What is a satellite broadband connection?
Satellite NBN broadband relies on orbiting satellites to transmit Internet signals to ground receivers.
Using the same satellites as television and telephone services, satellite broadband covers a wide area within the satellite's orbit, making it accessible anywhere within this line of sight.
This technology extends Internet access to rural and remote areas that may be unreachable by other broadband options.
What is the NBN Sky Muster Satellite?
NBN's Sky Muster satellite service covers remote and rural areas in Australia through advanced satellites. Serviced locations include mainland Australia, Tasmania, Christmas Island, Norfolk Island, Cocos Islands, and Lord Howe Island.
Similar to Fixed Wireless, Sky Muster requires a rooftop satellite dish, but data is transmitted between satellites instead of signal towers.
In addition to the rooftop dish, you'll receive an NBN modem, installed where the cable enters your premises. Keep in mind that the modem operates on power, so Internet access may be affected during power outages.
Various service providers offer NBN broadband plans with options to suit your needs, budget, and contract preferences. The choices are extensive, ensuring you find a plan that fits your preferences.
NBN Sky Muster speeds
While NBN generally offers six different speed tiers, satellite connections currently have access to only two.
| NBN Speed Tier | Maximum NBN Internet Speed | Typical Evening Speed |
|---|---|---|
| NBN 12 (Basic I | 12Mbps | 7Mbps |
| NBN 25 (Basic II) | 25Mbps | 15Mbps |
The speeds you get with NBN depend on your plan, provider, and network congestion during busy times. Evening speeds on fixed-line connections offer a realistic view of peak performance.
Satellite NBN plans are more prone to congestion, making it hard to estimate exact speeds. NBN speeds are a shared resource.
For NBN 25, the 25Mbps speed is shared among all devices. Faster NBN speeds provide more capacity, allowing multiple activities without affecting others.
Sky Muster vs Starlink
Starlink, a satellite internet initiative by SpaceX, aims to provide high-speed internet worldwide. It is positioned as the preferred internet solution in challenging connectivity areas, like rural and regional Australia.
The key distinction of Starlink satellites is their proximity to Earth, being 65 times closer than traditional satellites. This closeness enables Starlink to offer quicker and more responsive connectivity compared to conventional satellite internet services.
Let’s take a quick look at the differences between Sky Muster Satellite and Starlink:
Price
Satellite NBN and fixed wireless are more affordable than Starlink, both in monthly fees and setup costs.
Starlink offers a single $139 monthly plan, while NBN lets you customise your plan based on your budget and needs.
For Starlink, the setup cost is $924, discounted to $199 for some rural areas and $599 for others. If you cancel within 30 days, you can return the hardware for a refund; otherwise, you're stuck with it.
Speed
When it comes to speed, Starlink outperforms both satellite and fixed wireless connections.
Sky Muster NBN plans typically reach a maximum of 25Mbps down and 5Mbps up, but Sky Muster Plus Premium plans can surge up to 100Mbps in ideal conditions.
Fixed Wireless Plus NBN plans offer a maximum of 75Mbps down, but according to the latest ACCC report on the fastest NBN connections, the average download speed is 57.2Mbps.
In contrast, Starlink plans commit to download speeds ranging from 20Mbps to 100Mbps.
Popular NBN Sky Muster plans
NBN Sky Muster outages
As mentioned earlier, Sky Muster Satellite Internet can experience disruptions due to weather, network maintenance, or equipment faults. In case of an NBN outage, check the NBN Co website for scheduled or unplanned outages in your area.
If no outages are reported, try resetting your router, a simple step that often resolves temporary issues. Turn off your router for a minute and then turn it back on. If the problem persists, contact your Internet service provider for further assistance and tests on your connection.
NBN Sky Muster modem
To connect to the NBN Sky Muster, you'll need a modem router designed for satellite NBN connections.
Your provider may offer one when you sign up, or you might need to buy your own. Check with your provider for any specific requirements or compatibility issues before purchasing.
What does the Fair Use Policy mean?
Due to limited infrastructure and increasing subscribers, Internet speeds on the Sky Muster™ satellite service can be affected, especially during peak hours (7-11 PM).
NBN has a Fair Use Policy with service providers to manage congestion during high traffic times, impacting speeds and causing occasional buffering for subscribers on satellite broadband plans.
Compare NBN Sky Muster Satellite plans with Compare Broadband
At Compare Broadband, we've got all the latest information on NBN Sky Muster plans from various providers. You can compare plans side-by-side to find the perfect option for your needs, whether you're looking for the fastest possible speeds or the cheapest price.
We also make it easy to sign up for a new plan - just click on the 'Signup Online' button, and you can enter your address and contact details to get started with your new NBN connection.
Still not sure which NBN Sky Muster plan is right for you? Call us, and one of our broadband experts will be happy to help.
FAQs
What equipment will be needed for an NBN Sky Muster™ satellite connection?
On top of the satellite dish that must be installed outside, you will also be provided with an NBN modem, a power pack, and a wall outlet, all of which need to be installed within the premises. Your service provider will also supply a gateway router as well as an Ethernet cable so you can connect multiple devices.
Do I need to make an appointment with a technician for installation?
Yes. Similar to Fixed Wireless connections where the roof of your premises will be fitted with a satellite, you will also need the assistance of an NBN-approved installer to do the installation. You may recommend a spot for the equipment you need, although the technician will still need to assess if your choice of location is the most ideal.
How do I know if I can apply for an NBN Sky Muster™ satellite connection?
To find out if your area is serviceable with the Sky Muster™ satellite, key in your address in this NBN rollout map. You should be able to determine which type of NBN connections are available in your address, making it easier to choose which broadband plans to avail of.
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