Australian broadband provider iiNet has confirmed plans to offer services via the interim National Broadband Network (NBN) satellite from later this month. While the operator will offer just one broadband tariff for the service, it claims that it will provide downlink speeds of up to 6Mbps, a rate it says is ‘speeds up to six times faster than existing satellite plans’. The package, simply known as ‘Satellite’ will also offer a 20GB monthly data usage allowance, and will cost customers AUD49.95 (USD54) per month.
iiNet CEO Michael Malone said that the decision to offer the satellite service emphasised his company’s position as Australia’s leading NBN provider, noting: ‘We’ve been active supporters of the NBN from day one and the introduction of these new satellite services means that those Australians living and working in regional or remote areas can now enjoy the benefits that come with faster and more reliable internet access from an award winning service provider … For us as a business, we’re particularly pleased that we can now offer our customers much improved services, in geographic areas we couldn’t previously reach.’