Australian satellite and telecoms operator Optus has signed a five-year agreement with state-owned NBN Co to operate its two Ka-band satellites that are due for launch in 2015.
Under the NBN plan, the new coalition government aims to expand high-speed…
Australian satellite and telecoms operator Optus has signed a five-year agreement with state-owned NBN Co to operate its two Ka-band satellites that are due for launch in 2015.
Under the NBN plan, the new coalition government aims to expand high-speed broadband internet access to all Australians by 2019. It is looking to provide services to 93% of the population through fibre, while a further 7%, mainly in rural and remote Australia, will be served by either wireless or satellite technology.
Since May 2011, Optus and Thaicom’s IPstar have an agreement in place with NBN Co to supply managed services for its interim satellite service.
As part of the new deal, Optus will provide tracking, telemetry and control services for the two Ka-band spacecraft.
Paul Sheridan, vice president of satellite at Optus, said the agreement provides opportunity for a 15 year-extension in addition to the initial contract phase.
Matt Dawson, programme director of satellite at NBN Co, added: “These satellites have been specifically designed to deliver a dedicated broadband service for 200,000 homes, farms and businesses in remote parts of the country at speeds people in the city currently take for granted.”
Meanwhile, NBN Co may seek further satellite capacity in addition to the two spacecraft that are currently being constructed by Space Systems Loral.
In a report published in December, the state-owned company warned: “There is no clear understanding of the requirement for further capacity which may be needed if the demand for the LTSS [long-term satellite service] exceeds that outlined in the corporate plan; and further satellite capacity may be the only viable solution if fibre and fixed wireless coverage is less than the 97% included in the corporate plan.”
The former Labor government had been aiming to expand high-speed broadband internet access to all Australians by 2021 for A$37.4bn in total. But the Liberal-National coalition, now in power, had long criticised the cost of and delays in the project and said, during its election campaign, that it would address those issues.
