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Households in rural and regional Australia can finally access unlimited data by signing up to an NBN Sky Muster Premium plan.
This means managing data allowances for specific activities will be a thing of the past and download speed caps won't apply to streaming video during peak times.
Signing up to the plan will also give access to faster bursts of speed (up to 100Mbps) if network capacity allows.
You'll find satellite plans with unlimited/unmetered data below.
If you're after more, you could consider Starlink. Its standard plans offer unlimited data and between 100Mbps to 200Mbps speeds. The downside is that upfront costs for hardware and shipping can set you back almost $1,000.
While fixed-line connections offer 6 NBN speed tiers, satellite NBN can only access 3:
The type of speeds you'll end up getting will depend on your provider and network congestion during peak hours.
For example, the new Sky Muster Plus Premium plan can get you speed bursts of up to 100Mbps but that's not guaranteed - it depends when the network has capacity.
Unlike fixed-line NBN plans where providers offer typical evening speeds that take congestion into account, satellite plans don't offer the same oversight.
Satellite plans are more prone to congestion and providers can't reliably advertise an accurate estimate.
NBN satellite is comparable to the NBN's fixed-line technologies - so NBN 12 to NBN 100 meaning you can get a maximum of 100Mbps speeds.
In comparison, Starlink users in Australia experienced median download speeds of 106.43Mbps, according to Ookla's Q3 and Q4 report for 2022. You can get upload speeds of up to 25Mbps.
There are 9 internet providers that offer NBN satellite plans in Australia:
Sky Muster NBN is the entry level option to access satellite internet. All of your online activities will be counted towards your data cap.
You'll be able to sign up to 1 of 2 NBN speed tiers: NBN 12 (NBN Basic I) which offers up to 12Mbps download 1Mbps upload speed, or NBN 25 (NBN Basic II) offers up to 25Mbps download and 1Mbps upload speeds.
It's best suited to budget-conscious households with prices starting at $35 a month. Or, if you want a bigger data allowance for streaming specifically.
Sky Muster Plus NBN is a step up as it allows you to access unmetered data for a bunch of online activities excluding streaming and VPN traffic during midnight to 4pm.
You also get access to faster NBN speeds - up to 50Mbps download and 5Mbps upload speeds. It's a bit more expensive, but the additional costs can be justified if you want data-free access on your internet plan.
The main caveat is that you may be subjected to NBN speed shaping where your speeds are slowed down when you exceed the data allocation on your plan.
The Sky Muster Plus Premium plan is a new addition to the mix. It was introduced in June 2023 to bring faster internet speeds and uncapped data to households in regional and rural Australia.
Prices are roughly around the $100 per month mark and will suit people looking for better speeds for various online activities. You can get speed bursts of up to 100Mbps when the network has capacity.
Keep in mind that this means you'll temporarily receive faster speeds - you don't be getting 100Mbps at all times of the day.
In most cases, standard NBN satellite installations are free, with no setup or activation fees. Both the satellite dish and modem are provided free of charge from NBN Co.
Your upfront costs when you first sign up will include the first month fee of your satellite internet plan and payment for a Wi-Fi router if you can't BYO.
The router is required if you need multiple devices connected to the internet. The exception is if you just want satellite internet for your computer, in which case you can easily plug in the ethernet cable directly and skip buying the router.
In terms of the NBN technologies available, NBN satellite plans sit at the bottom tier. However, those living in regional, rural or remote areas of Australia may have it as the only option to connect to the internet.
Expert tip: The latest introduction of the Sky Muster Plus Premium plan is a step closer to bridging the digital divide between metro and regional or rural areas. It also means NBN satellite plans are now giving Starlink a proper fight in terms of upfront costs.
Mariam Gabaji
Utilities editor
You can sign up to Elon Musk's Starlink service if you're looking for an alternative to satellite NBN.
It offers unlimited data and speeds that average around the 106Mbps mark. The main caveat is that upfront costs can set you back around $1,000 unless there's a deal running that'll cut the cost of its hardware.
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