A $750 million program of upgrades to NBN Co’s fixed wireless and satellite services is now complete, delivering future-ready broadband for around 800,000 homes and businesses.
Around 800,000 premises in regional, remote and outer-urban areas can now access broadband speeds of at least 100/20Mbps. These increased speeds allow for smoother streaming, faster downloads and uploads, and stronger connections – even with multiple devices online at the same time.
The upgrades have been delivered under a $750 million investment, made up of $480 million from the Federal Government and an additional $270 million from nbn, to enhance nbn broadband across regional Australia.
The Federal Government said the fixed wireless upgrades have already delivered increased average end-user download speeds for households from around 48Mbps in 2022 to more than 100Mbps in 2025.
Using the latest 4G and 5G wireless technology has also enabled an additional 120,000 premises to access fixed wireless for the first time.
NBN Co has launched two faster speed tiers: around 90 per cent of premises in the fixed wireless footprint can now access speeds of up to 200–250Mbps download, and around 80 per cent of premises can access speeds of up to 400Mbps.
nbn said that this program complements its other upgrade programs, such as the recently announced investment to upgrade around 622,000 premises remaining on Fibre to the Node technology, which is expected to benefit more than 300,000 homes and businesses in regional Australia.
nbn Chief Development Officer – Regional and Remote, Gavin Williams, said, “The nbn Fixed Wireless network is a core part of our network, now available to around 800,000 homes and businesses across approximately 345,000km2 of regional Australia.
“The completion of these upgrades is a culmination of more than two years’ work, and has overcome challenges including remote access, weather – including floods, fires and cyclones and native birds using our towers to nest.
“Regional Australian homes and businesses can now benefit from higher nbn speeds and more reliable connectivity in busy periods than ever before, meaning you can do more online, with more devices at once,” Mr Williams said.
“Around 120,000 homes and businesses that were previously able to connect to the nbn network via satellite are now able to access nbn Fixed Wireless for the first time. Offering these customers the option to migrate from nbn Sky Muster satellite to Fixed Wireless has also allowed us to free capacity in our satellite network to support the introduction of uncapped data use plans1 for those remaining in the satellite footprint.
“We are committed to the continuous evolution of the nbn network, and this program – along with other upgrades underway across our network – means more homes and businesses can enjoy the positive transformation of faster speeds and better nbn broadband for Australia.”
The Federal Government said these upgraded services are helping to meet Australia’s growing demand for data.
The average Australian household is using more than 450GB of data per month with around 22 connected devices. This is forecast to increase to 1TB and more than 40 devices by the end of the decade.
In addition to fixed wireless upgrades, the program has also improved NBN’s Sky Muster satellite service, which provides connectivity options for more than 200,000 households and businesses in regional and remote Australia.
This upgrade means that customers now have unlimited data through NBN Co’s Sky Muster Plus Premium, providing download speeds of up to 100Mbps.
The Federal Government said this $480 million upgrade complements its investment to deliver a world-class NBN fibre network, backed by an additional $3 billion equity investment.
Federal Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, said that fast, reliable, affordable internet is an essential building block of any modern economy, boosting productivity, enabling innovation and creating jobs.
“Families and businesses in our regions and suburbs should have equal access to the opportunities the NBN delivers. Labor founded the NBN on this principle,” Ms Rowland said.
“Faster, more reliable internet allows smoother streaming, faster downloads and uploads, and stronger connections – even with multiple devices online at the same time.
“It enables access to essential government services, banking and telehealth, and learning and working online.
“The completion of these upgrades demonstrates what can be done with a publicly-owned NBN Co.”
