The Coalition Government has announced Sky Muster satellite users are expected to receive around 50 per cent more peak data and twice as much off-peak data from October. NBN Co will provide the extra data at no extra cost to retailers, although how the retailers structure their plans is up to them. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Government had listened to concerns from customers that Sky Muster did not supply enough data allowance, particularly for businesses, and asked the NBN Co board to find ways to deliver more data to customers. “For the first time, we expect customers to be able to purchase plans of more than 100 gigabytes a month of peak data,” Mr Chester said. Minister for Regional Communications Fiona Nash said the announcement was great news for rural communities.
“This increase in data is a great first step and there’s more on the way, including plans created for businesses,” Minister Nash said. Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield said the Government made plain to NBN Co in its 2016 Statement of Expectations that the company was to explore upgrades to all of the technologies used in the rollout.
“It is very pleasing to see that NBN Co has bought forward this upgrade to Sky Muster in line with this expectation,” Minister Fifield said. An extra 35 gigabytes of peak data would allow a business to do 50 more hours of high definition videoconferencing with colleagues and clients; or a student to watch 25 more hours of university lectures each month; or a photographer to send an extra 3500 pictures a month.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester with Minister for Regional Communications Fiona Nash.
