By Lilia Guan

 

Rural and remote regions will be able to access broadband services with the of a $620 million agreement to design and build two satellites, the Federal Government’s broadband division – NBN Co.
 

The satellites will allow broadband to be delivered to Australia’s remotest towns, such as Calvert in the Northern Territory and Bandya in Western Australia.
 

NFF President Jock Laurie said in our submission to the Regional Telecommunications Review in December last year, it called for the Government to ensure that all rural and regional Australians have equal access to reliable and affordable telecommunications.

 

“We believe it’s essential that farming families, rural businesses and country communities have equal accessibility, reliability, quality and affordability in the broadband services they access as those in urban areas do,” Mr Laurie said.

 

“In our submission, we asked for the government to commit to the delivery of improved technology to access broadband for people who live on properties outside the cities and towns.”
 

Mr said agriculture was a very technologically-savvy industry and there was enormous opportunity for new technology – if the telecommunications infrastructure can support it.
 

“Rural businesses rely on the same access to internet services to conduct their business as those in urban areas do,” he said.
 

“Unfortunately rural Australians have often had negative experiences with the reliability of existing satellite services and services provided by retailers, leaving many sceptical.
 

NBN Co has signed a contract with United States-owned company, Space Systems/Loral, for the delivery of the two Ka-band satellites and associated tracking, telemetry and control systems. It will be launched separately in 2015.
 

The Long-Term Satellite Service will build on the Interim Satellite Service, which was launched in July last year.