A satellite aimed at the sky

Best satellite internet plans in Australia

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KEY POINTS

  • NBN Sky Muster and Starlink are the two main providers of satellite internet plans in Australia.
  • NBN Sky Muster satellite plans include unlimited data and speeds up to 100Mbps, and are available from a handful of NBN providers.  
  • Starlink’s speeds are faster but plans typically have higher setup and ongoing costs, and are only available for residential customers directly from Starlink or through Telstra.

What is satellite internet?

Satellite internet is a type of internet connection that uses satellites to transmit data, as opposed to cables or wires. This connection type is typically used for customers in regional and remote communities that would otherwise be unable to access the internet.

Due to the nature of the satellite signal, the speed of downloads and uploads are generally slower than what you would expect from a wired connection, because there is further distance to travel.  However, depending on your plan and provider, you can achieve speeds on par with or faster than standard fixed-line NBN.

In Australia, there are currently two main satellite internet systems to choose from: NBN Sky Muster and Starlink. However, NBN Co has partnered with Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellite service as a Sky Muster replacement, with coverage likely to begin rolling out mid-2026.

NBN satellite internet

Sky Muster is the name of the two satellites operated by NBN Co that facilitate internet connections for customers in regional and remote areas. You will typically have a choice between two plan types: the standard plan, and Sky Muster Plus Premium. 

Sky Muster’s standard plans include a limited data allowance per month. Once this data cap is reached, your speeds are slowed for the remainder of your billing cycle. 

Heavier data users can upgrade to NBN Co’s Sky Muster Plus Premium plans, which come with unlimited data and faster speeds. These plans offer speeds of up to 50 megabits per second (Mbps) or 100Mbps, plus no restrictions on data use.

As mentioned above, NBN Co plans to transition customers to Amazon’s Project Kuiper service beginning mid-2026. But for now, Sky Muster users will experience no changes to their service.

Compare satellite NBN plans

The following table shows selected published NBN satellite plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see fixed-line plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

Brand Features Max Data**/billing period Advertised Cost^^/billing period
Activ8me Logo

Sky Muster Plus Premium 25

  • Standard Speed (NBN 25)
  • Speed (7pm-11pm) 18Mbps

min. cost $59.00 over one month

UnlimitedMax Data**/billing period $59.00Advertised Data^^/billing period Go To Site
Skymesh Logo

Sky Muster Ultra25

  • Standard Speed (NBN 25)
  • Unlimited data

min. cost $64.95 for first month

UnlimitedMax Data**/billing period $64.95Advertised Data^^/billing period
Southern Phone Logo

Satellite Medium

  • Standard Plus Speed (NBN 50)
  • Uncapped data

min. cost $70 for one month billing period

UnlimitedMax Data**/billing period $70Advertised Data^^/billing period
Activ8me Logo

Sky Muster Plus Premium 50

  • Standard Speed (NBN 50/5)
  • Burst speeds of up to 10Mbps
  • Typical Evening Speed 33Mbps

min. cost $74.00 over one month

UnlimitedMax Data**/billing period $74.00Advertised Data^^/billing period Go To Site
Skymesh Logo

Sky Muster Ultra50

  • Standard Plus Speed (NBN 50)
  • Unlimited data

min. cost $84.95 for first month

UnlimitedMax Data**/billing period $84.95Advertised Data^^/billing period
iiNet Logo

Sky Muster Plus Premium 100

  • Standard Speed (NBN 100/5)
  • Burst upload speeds of up to 10Mbps
  • Unlimited data

min. cost $99.00 over one month

UnlimitedMax Data**/billing period $99.00Advertised Data^^/billing period Go To Site
View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue

Starlink is operated by Elon Musk’s company, Space X. It consists of thousands of smaller satellites in low Earth orbit, working together to deliver internet services to customers around the world.

This service can be purchased by anyone around Australia, both directly from Starlink and via satellite broadband partner Telstra in eligible areas. However, it tends to have more expensive set up costs, as well as a pricey monthly plan fee.

What is the best satellite internet plan in Australia?

Whether you choose Sky Muster, Starlink or another satellite internet product, you’re likely going to be getting fairly similar service.

At the end of the day, the best satellite internet in Australia is one that caters to all of your needs. To ensure you get the best deal possible, research and compare multiple providers before making your decision.

Satellite internet providers

While there aren’t as many options for those living in more regional communities, several providers specialise in servicing rural Australia. As always, it’s important to compare plans from different providers to find one that’s right for you.

Satellite NBN providers

  • Activ8me offers a variety of plans across Sky Muster standard and Sky Muster Plus Premium speed tiers. It offers contract-free plans, with the option to bring your own router or add one at the checkout.
  • IPSTAR offers Sky Muster Plus Premium speed tiers on a month-to-month contract, with no hardware or standard installation costs.
  • SkyMesh specialises in satellite and fixed wireless plans throughout rural Australia. It offers all Sky Muster Plus Premium speed tiers on a contract-free basis, with no setup fees and round the clock support, even on public holidays.
  • Southern Phone delivers plans on the Sky Muster Plus Premium speed tiers on a month-to-month basis, with the company’s goal to provide more affordable mobile and internet services to customers in regional areas.

FAQs about satellite internet

There are multiple unlimited satellite internet plans in Australia. Sky Muster Plus Premium and Starlink both offer unlimited and unmetered internet plans. Make sure you check with your internet provider to be sure you’re getting the right plan for your needs.
Satellite internet is a form of internet connection, meaning that you should be able to do all the same things as you would on any other internet type. This includes things like scrolling socials, streaming Netflix or gaming. However, some satellite connections may be too slow for  ultra high-definition streaming; generally, speeds of 5Mbps or more are fine for HD Netflix, or 15Mbps for ultra HD.
If you live in an area that isn’t supported by fixed-line connections, satellite internet might be the solution. It works by beaming signals up to satellites from fixed ground stations, which then gets relayed back down to satellite dishes installed on properties in regional areas. Depending on your provider, either you will be sent a self-installation kit or a professional will come out to your property to install all the required equipment for you. NBN Co also offers fixed wireless internet in regional locations.
Some internet applications (such as online gaming, cloud storage and software updates) may be ‘shaped’ by NBN Co during the hours of 4pm and 11pm. This means your internet connection to these services may be forcibly slowed so that bandwidth can be shared equally among other NBN satellite users.

 

Emma Bradstock
Senior Telco Specialist
Emma Bradstock has been an authority on consumer phone, internet, technology and streaming markets in Australia for more than six years, having written more than 300 articles for Canstar Blue. Emma covers a range of topics — from NBN speeds and technology to the latest release phones — and strives to help readers find the right phone and internet plans for their needs.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media from Macquarie University, has more than a decade of professional writing experience in print and digital media, and contributed to Canstar Blue’s Highly Commended award for Best Consumer Technology Coverage in 2024. You can follow Emma on LinkedIn.

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