Optus, Primus preparing for NBN satellite service launch

Optus and Primus Telecom are both getting ready to launch National Broadband Network (NBN) satellite services but they are staying mum on the timeframe.

On Thursday, iiNet, released plans for its imminent NBN satellite service starting from $39.95 per month for a 20GB data limit. It is due to be launched at the end of the month.

Around four per cent of Australian premises will be serviced by satellite services as part of the NBN, predominantly in remote locations that cannot get metro-comparable broadband.

There is currently an interim NBN satellite service in place which will be in place until a long-term NBN satellite launch in 2015. NBN Co has commissioned two Ka-band satellites to be made for $620 million.

In May 2011, NBN Co signed Optus and IPStar as wholesale providers for the NBN interim satellite service with contracts worth $200 million and $100 million respectively.

Optus has its own satellite broadband offerings to consumers but is yet a retail service provider for the NBN interim satellite.

There are currently seven ISPs signed on as NBN satellite providers including Activ8me, Ant, Bordernet, Clear Networks, Harbour TI, Reachnet and Skymesh.

Optus is, however, keen to join the group of NBN satellite retail service providers.

“That is our intention but we have nothing to announce at this stage,” an Optus spokesperson, said.

Primus, which has never offered satellite services of any kind, has kicked its NBN satellite plans into motion.

“Primus is currently in the process of becoming a provider of NBN satellite services,” a Primus spokesperson said. “This initiative will add to the Primus portfolio and it forms part of Primus’ strategy to offer NBN services across all platforms, including fibre, wireless and satellite to 100 per cent of the Australian population.”

Again, Primus was coy on exactly when it will launch its services but said it is imminent.

Telstra did not respond to enquiries by ARN at the time of publication.

Optus, Telstra, Primus and iiNet have all signed wholesale broadband agreements (WBA) with NBN Co.

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