Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson, unveils Optus Broadband Satellite

Optus today launched its new Federal Government Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme (HiBIS) registered satellite broadband solution, Optus Broadband Satellite.

Optus Broadband Satellite will provide fast internet connections at affordable prices. It is the ideal solution for people living outside the traditional copper telecommunications network.

Speaking at the unveiling, the Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson, said HiBIS would provide incentive payments to HiBIS service providers to supply eligible customers with higher bandwidth services in regional, rural and remote areas at prices comparable to those available in metropolitan areas.

"This government is working hard to achieve ongoing improvements in the telecommunications services available in rural and regional Australia," Mr Anderson said.

"Broadband can make the world of difference in the use of the internet - whether it be for country school children researching an assignment, farmers checking the weather or commodity markets, or small businesses using the internet as their gateway to national and international markets.

"The HiBIS subsidy can play an important role in bringing the latest technologies - like the new Optus satellite service – to regional Australia and help further reduce the city-country divide in telecommunications."

Optus Director of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, Paul Fletcher, said Optus satellite services were fast becoming viable alternatives in the bush to services offered by the incumbent.

"To date, Australians in rural and regional areas haven’t had a lot of choice for their communications needs so they have tended to face poor service and inflated prices," Mr Fletcher said.

"From today Optus will offer affordable broadband to people in the bush - backed by Optus' proven track record of successfully delivering internet access to the people of Australia.

"The beauty of Optus Broadband Satellite is that the satellite equipment and installation costs are covered by the Federal Government HiBIS subsidy for eligible individuals, small businesses and certain not- for-profit organisations at eligible premises. That means customers just pay their monthly access fees, which are comparable to those in metropolitan areas."

Mr Fletcher said HiBIS was creating new lifestyle and business options for people living outside the major cities.

"Optus is Australia's leading satellite specialist with over 20 years experience as well as being an award winning internet service provider, so we know how to design solutions to cater for all different user types.

"We have three Optus Broadband packages available which offer either light emailing and surfing the net through to emailing large attachments, downloading files and streaming video. In addition, all our packages are good value," Mr Fletcher said.

Media contact:
Luisa Ford
Optus Corporate Affairs
Phone: +61 2 9342 5045