nbn® Sky Muster Satellite plans

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.

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.

Sky Muster Satellite plans: What’s the difference?

Let's explore the distinctions between nbn® Sky Muster, nbn® Sky Muster Plus, and nbn® Sky Muster Plus Premium.

nbn® Sky Muster:

• All data contributes to your monthly data allowance at a wholesale level.
• A fixed amount of data is allocated monthly for online activities.

nbn® Sky Muster Plus:

• Plans offer varying data usage allowances.
• Usage of video streaming and VPN traffic is measured between 4 pm and 12 am midnight.
• Other internet activities on nbn® Sky Muster Plus plans do not count towards the monthly data allowance.

nbn® Sky Muster Plus Premium:

• Enjoy uncapped data usage for all internet activities.
• Choose from different speed options.

Premium Sky Muster Satellite

The new Premium offering for Sky Muster is an amazing new addition designed to provide enhanced performance and overcome the limitations of the original Sky Muster plans. Retail internet providers now have access to the latest Sky Muster Plus Premium plans, available for both entry and mid-level tiers.

The Mid-Tier plan offers speeds of around 50Mbps down and 4Mbps up, with anticipated peak period speeds of 31Mbps. The entry tier provides a solid 25/5 with peak performance estimated at 16Mbps.

While these uncapped data plans have some shaping potential, which may impact speeds during peak times or restrict specific activities like cloud syncing, the primary goal is to offer more user-friendly and up-to-date internet plans for regional and rural customers.

For existing nbn® Sky Muster customers looking to upgrade, there's no need for new nbn® installation or equipment. Making the switch to the new Premium plans comes without monthly data limits.

nbn® Sky Muster speeds

While nbn® generally offers six different speed tiers, satellite connections currently have access to only three.

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 Plus Premium plans can surge up to 100Mbps in ideal conditions, but generally Sky Muster plans range between 25Mbps and 100Mbps for their maximum Internet speeds.

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. 

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 on 1300 764 000 and one of our broadband experts will be happy to help.