Blast-off for NBN's second satellite

NBN satellite Sky Muster II has successfully launched into space after being delayed yesterday due to high winds.

Set to play a critical role in providing broadband to about 400,000 regional Australian homes and businesses, the satellite blasted 36,000km into orbit from the French Guiana Space Station in South America.

Over the next few months the satellite will undergo final testing and soon boost the data capacity of NBN’s first satellite, Sky Muster I, which launched in October last year.

About 37,000 customers are already using interim satellite services in Australia, with NBN expecting that number to reach 85,000 full-time users by June 2017.

The Sky Muster service uses the NBN satellites and 10 ground stations to provide broadband to regional and remote Australians, where a physical connection would otherwise be too costly.

The program also allows NBN resellers to supply wholesale broadband services from the satellite. Current resellers include Activ8me, Ant Communications, Clear Networks, Harbour ISP, IPSTAR, reachnet and Sky Mesh.

NBN chief executive Bill Morrow said the launch marked the next step in delivering world-leading broadband to people right across the country.

“This service is already helping to improve healthcare outcomes by connecting remote patients to city specialists, delivering access to a new world of educational opportunities for kids in the bush and increasing productivity for local small businesses,” he said.

“We are ensuring that no Australian is left behind by providing access to fast broadband for those who need it the most.”