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VPNs for ad-blocking Unlike the best picks for fixed-line NBN (for metro areas) or even Fixed Wireless NBN, Sky Muster satellite NBN is the slowest of the three types. On top of this, peak and off-peak data allowances are used to manage finite bandwidth, unlimited data isn’t a thing, and contracts are more common. SkyMesh satellite internet plans have moved to a month-to-month arrangement since we last updated this guide. That’s great for flexibility but it does mean you’re charged a little more for the same inclusions. Still, you can save an additional $10 per month if you decide to bundle a phone with SkyMesh. Here’s a handful of other popular Basic II satellite NBN options for those looking to compare satellite internet plans. In terms of speed, this Activ8me satellite NBN plan is a Basic II offering, meaning speeds of up to 25Mbps. You also have 155GB of monthly data to work with, split across 20GB of peak (between 7 am and 1 am) and 135GB of off-peak data (between 1 am and 7 am), which means you should schedule bigger downloads overnight. Looking to compare satellite internet plans? Have a look at this winning plan stacked next to other low-price satellite internet plans below. There’s no contract and you can bring your own modem to save money if you’re churning from another provider. This SkyMesh satellite internet plan is a Basic II service, which means you can reach speeds of up to 25Mbps. Speeds are shaped to a symmetrical 128kbps during the corresponding time if you exhaust the data during peak or off-peak times. You can see other popular Basic II satellite internet plans below. You can also bring your own modem if you’re coming across from another provider, and this is at least $60 cheaper per month than the other 300GB-offering providers. In terms of data, it’s 300GB total for the month, with an even 150GB split between peak and off-peak allowance. As is the trend, the Basic I (max 12Mbps) speeds will be slowed to 128kbps if you go over, but 150GB of peak satellite data is a stack compared to the sub-100GB offered by the sub-$100 plans. Check out this winning peak-data plan next to the alternatives if you’re looking to compare satellite internet plans and find the one that best fits your needs. The SkyMesh Sky Muster Plus 100GB Peak plan separates peak and off-peak data allowances in half, so you have 100GB for both. Really, though, outside of the unmetered data, the big reason you’d consider a Sky Muster Plus plan is it has the potential to burst above the 25Mbps top-speed regular Basic II satellite NBN services. In some cases, you can get speed as fast as 50Mbps. You can see other popular Basic II satellite internet plans below. Using social media, downloading games or software updates, sending emails, music streaming and more won’t toward either your peak or off-peak data. The only online activities that count toward your data usage are any traffic through a VPN, video streaming through any service, and TikTok. Starlink satellite internet has already begun rolling out across Australia, covering parts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Hobart. Customers pay $139 per month for unlimited downloads with speeds of up to 200Mbps. There is a hefty setup and hardware fee of $924 (and $115 in shipping and handling) but if the early reports are anything to go by, Starlink will be a solid alternative for Satellite NBN customers for several reasons. Firstly, Satellite NBN plans still enforce strict data limits and peak/off-peak usage. Secondly, Satellite NBN only advertises speeds up to 25Mbps. It does have the potential to boost higher than that but it’s subject to network capacity. Even if Starlink is becoming more widely available, it still feels too early to make a definite call on how it compares to Australia’s existing satellite internet options. On paper, it has the makings of a reliable alternative to the NBN. All the same, the sample size of Australians using Starlink remains frighteningly small relative to the other options. It’s worth keeping an eye on, but hard to recommend without reservations. For reference, there are currently 11 providers of NBN satellite internet in Australia:
Activ8me ANT Communications Bordernet* Clear Broadband Harbour ISP iiNet* IPSTAR reachnet SkyMesh Southern Phone Westnet*
- These providers only sell regular NBN satellite internet, while the others also offer Sky Muster Plus plans. However, the key advantage that satellite internet has is coverage. There are plenty of places in Australia where the NBN doesn’t reach. For those living in these locations, satellite internet isn’t going to be a perfect option, but it’s certainly better than the alternative. Details on what this service will look like, how much it’ll cost and how it’ll compete against both existing satellite internet brands and options like Elon Musk’s StarLink remain unclear. Stay tuned. Once the upgrades are finished, NBN Co plans to increase the average monthly data allowance for non-Plus Sky Muster plans to 90GB. Some satellite NBN providers (such as SkyMesh) do offer “unmetered” data under certain conditions, such as during off-peak hours or excluding video streaming and VPN usage. Apart from the monthly cost of the plan, it shouldn’t cost you anything extra to set up an NBN satellite connection.
