Relief from the data drought with new unmetered Sky Muster package

NBN Co today announced plans to increase data allowances for regional Australians using the Sky Muster satellite services to access their internet. The Sky Muster Plus package will provide unmetered data for essential daily tasks such as web browsing, email and software updates.

The announcement comes after extensive lobbying from several rural advocacy groups and peak bodies, not least Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia (BIRRR), who welcomed today’s announcement after four years of campaigning on the issue.

“This is a very positive step in the right direction to end the ‘data drought’ that has restricted business, education and social development across regional Australia,” said BIRRR co-founder Kristy Sparrow. “Sky Muster Plus will make a significant difference to those who have been battling limited data allowances, especially for the 42 per cent of Sky Muster users who have no other internet option.”

BIRRR estimates that up to 40 per cent of Sky Muster usage will be unmetered once the new product is introduced, which will also help deliver faster download speeds of 25 megabytes per second when the network allows. However monthly data caps will still apply on the Sky Muster Plus package for high data usage applications such as video streaming and online gaming.

The National Farmers’ Federation President Fiona Simson also welcomed the decision, hailing it a “game-changer” for internet connectivity in the bush.

“Australian farmers are amongst the most dynamic and tech-savvy businesses in the country," said Ms Simson. “Today’s announcement will bring us closer to a service that can meet the requirements of modern farming businesses."

The new Sky Muster Plus plans are expected to become available to customers in 2019.