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Currently you can choose from 10 different retail service providers to purchase an NBN Sky Muster or Sky Muster Plus plan. They are:
Will there be a difference in the level of performance between providers?
Yes, providers differ on the level of performance offered depending on the number of customers they have and how much they have invested in their service. It is not expected that each retail service provider will offer the same level of service. Therefore, you should check that the level of service offered matches what you need.
How can I compare providers?
There are a number of sites which you can use to compare retail providers:
- Product Review
- Whirlpool
- For video streaming, Google Video Quality Report
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If you have an Interim Satellite Service (ISS), Australian Broadband Guarantee (ABG) or National Satellite Subsidy (NSS) and are eligible, then you can migrate to Sky Muster.
Some houses with these services may be eligible to receive Fixed Wireless and will be offered this service instead.
nbn will uninstall and remove ISS equipment free of charge. They will also repair any damage left by the ISS equipment. ISS services will be switched off when Sky Muster connections are activated. ISS services are expected to end 28th February 2017.
If you have ABG, NSS or other satellite services the nbn technician can uninstall the equipment for a fee. It is your responsibility to dispose of the equipment.
Consumers with other satellite services, such as offered by IPSTAR or Telstra, may also switch to Sky Muster. Contact your retail service provider regarding your options to end your current service.
What is the process for switching from another satellite service to Sky Muster?
Consumers will follow the same steps as new connections;
- Check eligibility on the nbn website
- Choose a retail service provider and plan that suits your needs
- Get connected
Will my current bill end on the same day as the Sky Muster bill starts?
Perhaps. You should check with your retail service provider when the billing periods will begin for Sky Muster and end for other services (ISS, ABG, and NSS). This may depend on whether or not you are switching retail service providers.
I am currently on ISS. If my installation is delayed or if I wait to switch, will the ISS speed improve as other consumers migrate off?
No. As customers migrate to Sky Muster the capacity of ISS will be reduced, so no increased speeds or data levels are expected on the ISS service.
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Sky Muster satellites were purpose-built to provide a fast broadband connection to Australian homes and businesses, so it is expected to perform to a higher standard than previous satellite services.
With Sky Muster services you will be able to take advantage of a broader range of services available over the internet, such as listening to radio, data voice calls (called Voice over IP or VoIP), tele-health and streaming movies as well as checking email, browsing the internet, banking online, and accessing government websites.
Note: Care must be taken with activities requiring high levels of data to ensure usage caps are not exceeded.
Are there things I will not be able to do?
Due to the distance of the satellite, services which require instant communication may not be as responsive as an earth based network. This time delay is called latency. Activities such as voice calls and online auctions may be affected.
Will Sky Muster work during all weather conditions?
Sky Muster, like all satellite services, is affected by weather conditions. The weather at your house and at the ground station, such as rain, storms, cloud cover and dust may all affect services. nbn has specially designed the dishes to adapt to different circumstances, such as storms. However, you might experience lower performance levels during some weather conditions and there may be periods where the service does not work.
You should be aware of this if Sky Muster is your only source of communication. Alternative options should be considered in cases of emergencies.
Will speeds and performance on Sky Muster be better than previous services?
It is expected that services will perform better and be more reliable. Sky Muster is offering two speed levels: up to 12/1Mbps and 25/5Mbps. This is faster than current satellite services, which offer up to 6Mbps.
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Sky Muster (or nbn’s Long Term Satellite Service) will provide fast broadband coverage to three per cent (or around 400,000) of homes and small businesses across regional and remote Australia and its islands.
Am I eligible for services?
Eligibility to obtain these services can be checked on the nbn website.
Consumers currently using satellite services (such as Interim Satellite Service (ISS), Australian Broadband Guarantee (ABG) or National Satellite Scheme (NSS)) will be able to switch to the Sky Muster service (some consumers may receive other technology such as Fixed Wireless). See ‘Switching from another satellite service’ for more details.
What if my address is not on the nbn website but I think it should be?
You should contact a Retail Service Provider (RSP) and discuss your eligibility with them.
How do satellite broadband services work?
The Sky Muster satellites will provide a connection between customer houses and RSPs. When you request to access information from your house, the request is sent from your satellite dish to the satellite 35,786kms above the equator. The signal then travels to one of nbn’s ground stations which connect to your RSP and finally the internet. Information is then sent back to your device in the reverse direction.
To find out more information on what to expect from Sky Muster services see ‘What to expect from a Sky Muster broadband service’.
How do I order a service?
Services can be ordered now. To get connected:
- Check if you are eligible (nbn website)
- Choose a retail service provider (see ‘Choosing a retail service provider’) and plan that suits your needs (see ‘Choosing a plan that suits your needs’)
- Get Connected (see 'Getting Connected' for more information).
What services will work over Sky Muster?
Broadband services will work over Sky Muster.
You may be offered other services, such as phone services (called VoIP). See ‘Voice services’ for more details.
Existing phone and internet services delivered over copper, radio and wireless technologies will continue to be offered and you can keep these services.
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER AND ASK YOUR PROVIDER
- Can I use all my current services with this plan?
- How long will it take to get connected?
- What do I need to do to prepare my property for connection?
- Will my other satellite equipment be uninstalled at the same time?
- When will the billing start?
- What speed level will I get on average with this plan during peak and off peak hours?
- Apart from the monthly charge, what other fees do I need to pay?
- Do I need to purchase a new router?
- Can I get VoIP services? Is the router set to ensure quality voice services?
- How do I access my data tracking service?
- Will there be any additional charges for connecting or fault repairs?
- Is my property a standard installation? Can I cancel the service, without charge, if I am not a standard installation?
- Do you offer service guarantees for fault rectification and outages?
Will nbn be offering services for children’s education and community use?
Yes. Internet plans are available for distance education children. See ‘Remote and Isolated Communities and Distance Education’ for more information.
What do I do if something goes wrong?
You should contact your RSP if something goes wrong. See 'Interruptions, faults and repairs' for further information on what to do if something goes wrong and 'Who to contact, complaints and further information for contact details.
I am due to get satellite, but I would rather have fixed wireless. What are my options for alternative nbn networks?
If you wish to consider an alternative technology other than satellite, nbn offers a ‘technology choice’ program. There are two possibilities. The first is area switch. This is where a number of properties in an area collectively pay to receive a different technology. The second is individual switch, where one property pays to switch technology.
Both of these options can cost a significant amount of money. Costs range from a few hundred thousand dollars to millions of dollars, depending on the complexity and size of the switch required.
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How often do you use the internet each week? Statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released in February 2016 showed that the mean number of hours spent per week on the internet for both males and females is 10 hours.
Ten hours per week doesn’t seem like much time, but when you think about all of the activities we now do online – accessing education, job opportunities, government services and more – our reliance on the internet becomes very clear.
While some of us may take broadband for granted, there is a growing group of consumers from all over the country who are struggling with poor internet services or even no services at all.
Read more: Facebook group helping rural consumers with internet issues
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Download: 
How to avoid 1800 number call charges on mobiles53 KB
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How to avoid 1800 number call charges on mobiles336.76 KB
Most Australian mobile providers (but not all) now offer free calls to 1800 numbers. Below is a list of providers that offer these calls for free.
Read more: How to avoid 1800 number call charges on mobiles
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Did you know that calls to Directory Assistance 1223 and other directory phone numbers may not be free of charge from your mobile or landline phone? Sometimes these calls are charged outside of your included plan value, so you may receive extra charges on your bill from calling these numbers.
Whenever possible, you should avoid calling directory assistance numbers and instead use one of the alternatives listed below.
Read more: How to avoid directory assistance call charges
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Which broadband product is right for my business.docx61.82 KB
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There are a range of different options available to small businesses when it comes to broadband. This tip sheet outlines the questions a small business owner should ask when choosing a broadband product.
When trying to decide which broadband product is right for your business, consider:
- Which types of broadband services are available? For information on the services that may be available to you, access our brochure: Understanding your options for broadband connection.
- What type of service would best suit the needs of the business in terms of speed, mobility and monthly data allowance? Refer to your broadband bills from the last 6-12 months to calculate your typical usage.
- Do you need both phone and broadband services? If so, consider the option of bundling (getting all the services from the same provider). You might also want to include mobile services in this bundle. This could save you money but make sure that all the services meet your needs otherwise you could end up spending more than you need to.
- Do you need to upload a lot of data? For example if you are operating a video streaming service or other content rich business.
Read more: Which broadband product is right for my business?
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How do you pay your phone and internet bills? Direct debit from a bank account or credit card? Over the phone or online? How about by BPAY or in person at your provider's store or Australia Post?
The amount of billing methods available is overwhelming. Each provider has a different range of options, but there are some common ones like those mentioned above.
When choosing how to pay your bill, you should be aware that some methods attract fees. While these are only usually a few dollars or a small percentage of the total amount, over the life of a contract they can add up to a significant amount that you could be saving.
Read more: How do you pay your bill?
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The quarterly ACCAN members magazine casts a spotlight on our most recent work, discusses current trends and contains exclusive interviews with a broad range of players in the telecommunications sector. If you'd like to start receiving your own hard copy of the ACCAN magazine, simply sign up to become an ACCAN member today.
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ACCAN's policy position on a customer service and reliability standard
Access to reliable communication services is vital for Australian consumers and is essential for social and economic participation.
The 2015 Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee (RTIRC) found that existing safeguards (e.g. Customer Service Guarantee (CSG)) focused on delivery of the Standard Telephone Service (STS) were of "rapidly declining relevance."
This is due to the shifting consumer preference toward mobile and internet based communication. The Committee recommended the Australian Government, in consultation with industry and consumer groups, develop a new safeguard in the form of a Consumer Communications Standard.
This policy position addresses consumer concerns about existing customer service and reliability measures, and proposes a new model for the future. It is a step towards a new Consumer Communications Standard.
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Download: What affects the quality of my broadband brochure40.75 KB
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