Optus wins major five-year NBN satellite contract

Optus has signed a five-year deal to operate two satellites providing broadband services to rural and remote areas of Australia, as part of the NBN rollout.

The Singtel-owned carrier will provide tracking, telemetry and control services for the two NBN satellites from its ground station facility located in the northern Sydney suburb of Belrose.

The two satellites will launch during 2015 and operate in the Ka-band, which covers frequencies between 26.5–40 GHz and is used to deliver satellite broadband services.

The agreement comes on top of an earlier deal, announced in May 2011, which sees Optus supply managed services for NBN Co’s Interim Satellite Service.

Optus satellite vice president Paul Sheridan says the agreement also includes a possible 10-year contract extension.

“As a leader in the provision of satellite services, Optus looks forward to working with NBN Co to fly these satellites and assist it in meeting the significant demand for high speed broadband services in regional and remote Australia.”

NBN Co satellite program director Matt Dawson stresses the importance of satellite services for rural and remote areas.

“NBN Co is committed to deliver broadband to Australians – for people living in regional and rural Australia – satellite makes sense.

“NBN Co looks forward to working with Optus satellite as we progress towards the successful launch of NBN Co’s two Ka-band satellites. 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.”