A NEW generation of communications satellite means that people across the region can now look forward to broadband services at metropolitan prices. The Nationals' Members for Gwydir John Anderson, and Parkes MP John Cobb launched the service at Ag-Quip this week and said rural and regional Australians who were eligible for the Federal Government's Broadband Connect subsidy would be able to have broadband internet services delivered to their homes for $29.95 a month.
Ipstar is the world's first-ever Internet Protocol satellite system, with a total broadband capacity equivalent to almost all communication satellites servicing the Asia-Pacific region.
"Essentially this means that no matter where you are on the Australian continent, you will have access to a broadband service that is affordable, and scalable, as the satellite's capacity allows for significant increases in bandwidth, when required," Mr Cobb said.
Mr Anderson said the Nationals had been fighting not only for price parity with the cities for rural and regional people for broadband internet services but ensuring people in rural and regional areas had access to providers other than Telstra.
"Competition is essential in our telecommunications sector and what Ipstar proves is that telecommunications, particularly quality broadband internet service can be provided to every Australian irrespective of where they live," he said.
Mr Anderson and Mr Cobb said it was vitally important for the economic and social wellbeing of remote, rural and regional communities that they had access to affordable quality broadband internet.
Further information on Ipstar's broadband internet services can be found at;
