NBN Co’s $2 billion satellite program has been hit by a five-month delay, raising concerns that it will not be ready to deliver broadband to consumers by its proposed mid-2016 deadline.
The first NBN Co satellite, NBN Co-1A was to be launched from French Guiana in South America by Arianespace in June, a second satellite, NBN Co-1B was to follow months after.
The launch will be delayed until October or November because Arianespace could not find an appropriate partner for the launch of the first satellite.
The company is keen to launch earlier and will continue to prepare in the second half of the calendar year.
NBN Co said that every factor within the company’s control is still on track for the original timing of the launches, and that other factors such as weather conditions, could also impact the timing.
