Australia boasts an impressive internet penetration rate of 95%. However, it’s worth noting that 90% of the population resides within 50 km of the coast. As a result, most telecommunications infrastructure is concentrated in the eastern, southeastern, and southwestern regions. For those living and operating in the rest of Australia, options and be more limited and satellite connectivity becomes essential. So, what satellite connectivity options are available to you?
Starlink delivers high-speed, low-latency internet to Australia through its low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation. As the largest authorised reseller and integrator for Starlink, Speedcast has partnered with the Northern Territory Government to deploy the technology across hundreds of sites, enhancing existing geostationary (GEO) satellite communications. Starlink offers 25 to 220 Mbps download speeds, 5 to 10 Mbps upload speeds, and under 99 milliseconds of latency. For Business Priority customers, Starlink is rolling out a 99.9% service level agreement (SLA), which will provide a performance guarantee.
All Starlink terminals are licensed in Australia, including Flat High Performance, Enterprise, and Starlink Mini. Their easy installation and low equipment prices have contributed to their popularity, with sold-out capacity in cities like Brisbane and Perth. If you can’t access Starlink, what other connectivity solutions can you consider?
Eutelsat OneWeb
OneWeb is rolling out an extensive LEO backhaul service across Australia with local telco providers. As a OneWeb Global Distributor, Speedcast has been testing and evaluating OneWeb’s performance at our World Teleport Association-certified teleport facilities in Australia. Our engineering team has observed average speeds of 50 Mbps down and 10 Mbps up, with latency significantly lower than traditional GEO services. What sets OneWeb apart is its design for enterprise operations, featuring guaranteed bandwidth and committed information rates (CIR). OneWeb also supports terminals from various vendors, including Intellian and Kymeta, with flexible enterprise plans like pooled and unlimited data options.
For government agencies or humanitarian operations requiring high data security, OneWeb could be the ideal choice. OneWeb’s unique routing capabilities allow traffic to be directed straight to your corporate network without touching the internet, adding an extra layer of security for organisations with stringent requirements.
Speedcast Ku-band VSAT
Speedcast’s Ku-band VSAT network provides robust coverage throughout Australia. This network features a variety of antennas and modems designed for both land and maritime applications, ensuring a committed information rate (CIR) that guarantees minimum bandwidth availability at all times. This reliability makes Speedcast Ku ideal for various applications, from high-quality voice services to data transfer. When other technologies may falter, Speedcast Ku’s VSAT network remains a trusted option. For a full look at our connectivity suite, visit here.
The Key to Seamless Connectivity
Whether facing cyclones, bushfires, geopolitical tensions, or even technology or satellite failures, relying on a single connectivity option can expose your operations to significant risk. For businesses where reliable internet access is critical, Speedcast recommends adopting a multipath connectivity approach. The latest multipath options include a new innovative dual-LEO solution for remote sites, integrating both Starlink and OneWeb service. With Speedcast’s SIGMA Edge Networking platform, businesses can leverage multi-path, multi-orbit connectivity, ensuring reliable and high-performance access to critical applications.
Australia boasts a highly developed economy rich in natural resources and established international trade networks. Closing the final gaps in internet penetration can strengthen the economy and unlock new business opportunities in underserved regions. All operations should carefully evaluate satellite connectivity options, considering coverage, equipment, speeds, reliability, security, and costs. With the right connectivity solution in place users can enhance operational efficiency, maintain critical communication, and ensure safety in even the most remote environments.
Speak with our experts to explore the connectivity options that best suit your operational needs.