As the Australian snow season starts, we thought we’d take a look at how the Sky Muster Satellite delivers nbn® internet to the slopes with better service than ever before. So whether you’re in Falls Creek, Hotham, Mt Buller or Thredbo – this means better Netflix streaming after a day on the slopes and easier uploading of your trip photos to social media.
Unlike pre-Sky Muster days, poor weather has less of an effect on your satellite internet service. In some instances of weather, a Satellite connection will actually outperform an ADSL or mobile broadband service. Services that rely on telephone lines are at risk of loss of service if the lines are damaged in heavy snowfall or high-speed winds. The dishes are designed to adapt to external circumstances. For instance, if a storm comes, it can “dial itself up” to ensure it maintains consistent service.
A significant advantage for Sky Muster satellite users in snow and inclement weather is that they are not at the mercy of the mobile network towers and the slowdown they may experience when there’s an increased demand for the internet from other users.
After the launch of Sky Muster into space, broadband internet capability was changed forever for those Australians living in remote and rural Australia. Not only is the data that’s available to households more than 30 times greater than it used to be before Sky Muster, but the technology that transmits the signal has been greatly improved too.
How does satellite internet reach Australia?
Satellite internet starts on the ground. Around Australia, several nbn® ground stations beam internet up to the two SkyMuster satellites orbiting the Earth, and this signal is then transmitted to the satellite dishes which are installed by the nbn® on your property.
For those interested in the technological aspects, the Sky Muster satellite and the satellite dishes provided by the nbn® utilise several technologies that have improved satellite broadband for Australian rural and regional customers. The TRIA (transmit and receive integrated assembly) on the satellite dishes that the nbn® installs at your home converts high-frequency satellite signals into lower frequency signals is tuned to get the best possible signal from the overhead satellites. To keep it simple, it changes the satellite signal so that our Earth-bound devices can utilise it, from the best possible position.
5 interesting facts about Sky Muster:

1. The Sky Muster Satellite took three years to build
2. Sky Muster is 26 metres long, 12 metres wide, and 9 metres tall.
3. The weight of the satellite is 6,405kg
4. Sky Muster currently orbits the Earth at a distance of more than 36,000km away.
5. Sky Muster was designed to provide 400,000 Australian homes with internet service.

Want to upgrade to nbn® Sky Muster Satellite broadband? See our plans here.
See how other weather affects your internet connection.