The initiative is designed to provide internet access to Australians that cannot access an existing commercial broadband service.
Under the NBN Co Satellite Support (NSS) scheme, IPA will serve as the official wholesaler to deliver the scheme in partnership with other ISPs in the country.
NBN Co said the scheme is designed to connect up to 9,000 additional premises in remote and regional mainland Australia and Tasmania, until NBN Co’s Long-Term Satellite Service (LTSS) is launched in late 2015.
“Bringing broadband to the most remote communities across Australia is one of NBN Co’s highest priorities,” said John Simon, NBN Co chief customer officer. “It gives residents access to e-health, distance education and internet banking, while businesses can benefit from increased productivity, reduced costs and access to new markets.”
IPSTAR has delivered satellite services to remote communities since 2005, and Thaicom’s CMO, Patompob Suwansiri added: “I am proud IPSTAR continues to make a difference in the life of many Australians.”
The NSS service is exclusively available to those that are unable to access a commercial broadband connection.
Premises eligible for the scheme must be within the line of sight of an IPSTAR broadband satellite, and the service is designed to deliver wholesale speeds of up to 4Mbps download and 1Mpbs upload.
