nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus satellite service

On an nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus plan, you can enjoy the connectivity that an nbn™ Sky Muster™ satellite service has to offer, with the added benefit of unmetered data for many online activities.
Both nbn™ Sky Muster™ and Sky Muster™ Plus provide access to fast broadband services. The key difference between the two at a wholesale level lies in how that data is metered. With nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus, simply select the monthly metered data allowance you need for video streaming4 and virtual private network (VPN) traffic through your preferred internet service provider; everything else will be unmetered*^. 
nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus wholesale consumer plans
Note: The below content is accurate as at 1st April 2020 but the types of traffic that are metered on the nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus product are constantly subject to change. We recommend you check this page (nbn.com.au/skymuster-plus) regularly to ensure that you keep up to date with the latest changes. The examples of Metered Usage in the table below are examples only and do not comprehensively describe all types of traffic that is metered on nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus Plans. For further details on which types of traffic are metered or unmetered, please contact your internet service provider.

With Sky Muster™ Plus, plans provide unmetered internet for all activities except video streaming4 and VPN traffic. Certain other types of traffic may be shaped between 4pm and 11pm.

Simply select the metered data allowance you require, with the help of your preferred internet service provider. 
Metered data allowance for video streaming and VPN traffic

From 25GB (Peak/Off-Peak) – 150GB (Peak/Off-Peak)

Check with your preferred internet service provider for the plans they offer
Data top-ups

If you exhaust your metered data allowance during the month and want to purchase more, data top-ups may be available as an option.

Speak to your preferred internet service provider about data top-up options they may offer 
Wholesale speed All plans are based on a wholesale 25/5 Mbps Access Rate (nbn commits to achieve a peak wholesale speed of 25/5 Mbps at least once per day and will investigate otherwise), but may be able to burst higher (subject to available network capacity).1&2
Metering

Only video streaming4 and any online activity accessed via a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is metered. All other online activities are unmetered by default.  Other exclusions and fair use conditions apply2.

Examples of metered video streaming include: Netflix, ABC iView, Stan, FOXTEL, You Tube, Tik Tok, Play On and embedded video on newspaper and magazine websites.

Examples of Virtual Private Network activity include: accessing the internet through products like Nord VPN, Norton Secure VPN, Pure VPN and/ or VPNs proprietary to workplaces and companies.

Embedded video streaming is metered except for certain social media platforms, including: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr and LinkedIn.

While video streaming is metered, video calling applications are unmetered. Examples of common video calling applications include: Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, FaceTime, Google Duo, Snapchat, Instagram Live, Viber, Zoom, Google Hangouts, Line, Tango, MyVMR and GoToMeeting.
Peak times 7am – 1am

Peak wholesale shaping rate

(applies to metered data only once peak metered data allowance is exhausted)

Download 512 kbps

Upload 256 kbps
Off-peak times

1am - 7am

Off-peak wholesale shaping rate

(applies to metered data only once off-peak metered data allowance is exhausted)

Download 2,048 kbps

Upload 512 kbps

Time of Day Shaped Activities

(Unmetered Activities)

The following unmetered activities are subject to shaping by nbn:

  • Peer to peer traffic, uploads and downloads to Cloud storage platforms, PC and smartphone operating system updates, software/application updates gaming software updates and any internet activity related to applications which nbn cannot identify may, from time to time in nbn’s discretion, be shaped between 4pm – 11pm to wholesale speeds of 256Kbps
Standard Installation Not charged by nbn to internet service providers3

1 Note that an end user’s experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ broadband access network, depends on the nbn™ access network technology and configuration over which services are delivered to their premises, whether they are using the internet during the busy period, and some factors outside of nbn’s control (like their equipment quality, software or signal reception). Wholesale speeds may be reduced if the metered data allowance is exceeded. Satellite end users may also experience latency.

2 Examples of Unfair use include:

  • routinely transferring, or knowingly allowing the routine transfer of, large files greater than 20MB via email; and

  • downloading, or knowingly allowing the downloading of, software, application or operating system updates for more than 20 unique devices.

  • masking, manipulating or changing the signature of traffic, or knowingly permitting the masking, manipulating or changing the signature of traffic, to:

- present Metered Data usage as Unmetered Data usage;

- present one type of Unmetered Data usage as another type of Unmetered Data usage; or

- otherwise avoid the accurate measurement of data transfer or application of any applicable data transfer rates or data usage allowances;

  • performing, or knowingly permitting the performance of, excessive automated polling, refreshing or scraping of websites;

For further details on fair use conditions, contact your internet service provider.

3 Please contact your preferred internet service provider to ask about the retail prices charged by them to you.

4 Most video streaming is metered, but streaming embedded video content on certain social media platforms is unmetered, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr and LinkedIn.

* Exclusions and fair use conditions apply. If you’re accessing your connection via a Virtual Private Network (VPN) all activities will be metered, even those specified above as ‘unmetered activities’. For more information on which internet activities are unmetered and exclusions speak to your internet service provider. For details on fair use conditions, contact your internet service provider.

^ For nbn™ Sky Muster Plus plans, nbn may shape traffic for PC and smartphone operating system updates, software/application updates, gaming software updates, peer to peer traffic and any traffic related to applications which nbn cannot identify between 4pm – 11pm to wholesale speeds of 256Kbps.

Things that you should know

  • Metered data counts towards your data allowance, while unmetered data doesn’t.
  • Your metered data allowance includes both your upload and download activities combined.
  • If your metered data allowance for peak times is exhausted, maximum wholesale download speeds will be shaped to 512kbps and maximum wholesale upload speeds will be shaped to 256kbps for metered activities during peak times (7am-1am) for the remainder of the calendar month.
  • If your metered data allowance for off-peak times is exhausted, maximum wholesale download speeds will be shaped to 2,048kbps and maximum wholesale upload speeds to 512 kbps for metered activities during off-peak times (1am-7am) for the remainder of the calendar month.
  • Peer to peer traffic, uploads and downloads to cloud storage platforms, PC and smartphone operating system updates, software/application updates, gaming software updates and any internet activity related to applications which nbn cannot identify, may from time to time in nbn’s discretion, be shaped between 4pm – 11pm to wholesale speeds of 256Kbps.
  • Other types of unmetered activities will not usually be shaped at any time, even when the metered data allowance has been exhausted.
  • Embedded video content on certain social media platforms is unmetered including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, LinkedIn. Embedded video content on all other websites and platforms is metered.
  • All video calling is unmetered. Examples of common video calling applications include: Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, FaceTime, Google Duo, Snapchat, Instagram Live, Viber, Zoom, Google Hangouts, Line, Tango, MyVMR and GoToMeeting.
  • All carrier WiFi calling is unmetered, regardless of the application.
  • Your usage meter resets on the first calendar day of the month.
  • Plan changes via your internet service provider will take effect on the first day of the next month.

Metered activities to keep in mind

  • All online activity accessed via a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is metered.
  • Streaming or downloading video, including from sites like YouTube and Netflix (but excluding embedded video content on certain social media platforms) is metered.
How nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus compares to nbn™ Sky Muster™

In the table below, we’ve outlined the key differences between Sky Muster™ and Sky Muster™ Plus wholesale plans to help you choose the one best suited to your needs.

Note: The below content is accurate as at March 2020 but the types of traffic that are unmetered on the nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus product are constantly subject to change. We recommend you check this page (nbn.com.au/skymuster-plus) regularly to ensure that you keep up to date with the latest changes. The examples of Metered Usage in the table below are examples only and do not comprehensively describe all types of traffic that is metered on nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus Plans. For further details on which types of traffic are metered or unmetered, please contact your internet service provider.

  nbn™ Sky Muster™ nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus
Wholesale plans Your internet service provider will determine available plans.

Select your plan between 25GB (Peak/Off-Peak) – 150GB (Peak/Off-Peak)

Check with your preferred internet service provider for the plans they offer

Monthly metered data allowance

(includes upload and download data). 6 

 Your internet service provider will determine available data allowances.

Select your plan between 25GB (Peak/Off-Peak) – 150GB (Peak/Off-Peak)

Check with your preferred internet service provider for the plans they offer
Data top-ups Your internet service provider will determine if data top-ups are available

If you exhaust your metered data during the month and want to purchase more, data top-ups may be available as an option.

Speak to your preferred internet service provider about data top-up options they may offer
Wholesale speeds 12/1Mbps or 25/5Mbps1 Based on a wholesale 25/5Mbps Access Rate (nbn commits to achieve a peak wholesale speed of 25/5 Mbps at least once per day and will investigate otherwise), but may be able to burst higher (subject to available network capacity). 1&2
Metered activities All online activities are metered at a wholesale level. Only video streaming7 and any online activity accessed via a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is metered. All other internet activity is unmetered3. Other exclusions and fair use conditions apply4.
Unmetered activities3 Not available at a wholesale level.

All online activity is unmetered by default, except for Video streaming7 and VPN traffic3

Note: Exclusions and fair use conditions apply.4

Time of Day Shaped Activities

(Unmetered Activities)

 Not applicable at a wholesale level. Peer to peer traffic, uploads and downloads to Cloud storage platforms, PC and smartphone operating system updates, software/application updates gaming software updates and any internet activity related to applications which nbn cannot identify may, from time to time in nbn’s discretion, be shaped between 4pm – 11pm to wholesale speeds of 256Kbps.
Peak times 7am-1am 7am-1am
Off-peak times

1am-7am

1am-7am
Standard installation cost

Not charged by nbn to internet service providers. Check with your preferred internet

service provider whether they have any other fees.5

 Not charged by nbn to internet service providers. Check with your preferred internet service provider whether they have any other fees. 5

1 An end user’s experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ broadband access network, depends on the nbn™ access network technology and configuration over which services are delivered to their premises, whether they are using the internet during the busy period, and some factors outside of nbn’s control (like their equipment quality, software or signal reception). Wholesale speeds may be reduced if the metered allowance is exceeded (refer to nbn.com.au/skymuster-plus). Satellite end users may also experience latency.                                          

2 Once your metered data allowance is exhausted, your speeds will be shaped when using your service for Metered activities.  Wholesale speeds for some unmetered activities may also be shaped between 4pm and 11pm.  For further details, contact your internet service provider.

3Peer to peer traffic, uploads and downloads to Cloud storage platforms, PC and smartphone operating system updates, software/application updates, gaming software updates and any internet activity related to applications which nbn cannot identify may, from time to time in nbn’s discretion, be shaped between 4pm – 11pm to wholesale speeds of 256Kbps.

4 Exclusions and fair use conditions apply. Examples of Unfair use include:

  • an end user routinely transferring, or knowingly allowing the routine transfer of, large files greater than 20MB via email. For details on fair use conditions, please contact your internet service provider; and
  • an end user downloading, or knowingly allowing the downloading of, software, application or operating system updates for more than 20 unique devices.

For further details on fair use conditions, contact your internet service provider.

5 Please contact your preferred internet service provider to ask about the retail prices charged by them to you.

6 Once your metered data allowance is exhausted, your speeds will be shaped when using your service for Metered activities.  Wholesale speeds for some unmetered activities may also be shaped between 4pm and 11pm.  For further details, contact your internet service provider.

7 Most video streaming is metered, but streaming embedded video content on certain social media platforms is unmetered, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr and LinkedIn.

Examples of unmetered activities with nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus 

Activity

Examples of unmetered activities with nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus

(unless accessed through a VPN)1

Note: Exclusions and fair use conditions apply.2
Wi Fi Calling YES
Streaming audio (like Spotify and ABC listen) YES
Internet gaming YES
Video calling YES
Streaming video content (e.g. short videos) that are embedded in certain social media platforms YES. Embedded video streaming on certain social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumbler and LinkedIn is unmetered. All other types of video streaming will still be metered.
Cloud storage and file sharing platforms (e.g. Dropbox or Google Drive) YES (shaping at nbn’s discretion may occur from time to time between 4pm – 11pm to wholesale speeds of 256Kbps)
Gaming software updates

YES

(shaping at nbn’s discretion may from occur time to time between 4pm – 11pm to wholesale speeds of 256Kbps)
Software / Application updates YES (shaping at nbn’s discretion may occur from time to time between 4pm – 11pm to wholesale speeds of 256Kbps)
All PC and smartphone operating system updates

YES - all PC and smartphone operating system updates will be unmetered

(shaping at nbn’s discretion may occur from time to time between 4pm – 11pm to wholesale speeds of 256Kbps)
Any traffic related to applications which nbn cannot identify

YES

(shaping may occur between 4pm – 11pm to wholesale speeds of 256Kbps)
Peer to Peer traffic

YES

(shaping may occur between 4pm – 11pm to wholesale speeds of 256Kbps)

1. If you’re accessing your connection via a Virtual Private Network (VPN) all activities will be metered, even those specified as ‘unmetered activities’.

2 Exclusions and fair use conditions apply. Examples of Unfair use include:

  • an end user routinely transferring, or knowingly allowing the routine transfer of, large files greater than 20MB via email. For details on fair use conditions, please contact your internet service provider; and
  • an end user downloading, or knowingly allowing the downloading of, software, application or operating system updates for more than 20 unique devices.

For further details on fair use conditions, contact your internet service provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus has data top-up options available for purchase at the wholesale level by internet service providers. Speak to your preferred internet service provider about data top-up options they may offer.
Yes. In nbn™ Sky Muster™ satellite areas, homes and businesses will have the option to keep their existing copper phone line active or switch to a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service on a plan powered by nbn™ Sky Muster™ or nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus. Remember, services connected over the nbn™ access network will not work during a power blackout, so you may want to keep your existing phone line active in case of emergency – especially if you don’t receive good mobile coverage at your address.
nbn™ Sky Muster™ and nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus connections require the installation of a small satellite dish (typically 80 to 120cm in diameter) on your roof (or other nbn-approved location), as well as an nbn™ connection box at the point where the cable from the dish enters your home or business.

With nbn™ Sky Muster™, all data is metered at a wholesale level and there is a set amount per month to use for online activities. Whereas with nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus, all internet activities are unmetered except for video streaming* and VPN traffic. Exclusions and fair use policies apply. In addition, with nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus, certain types of unmetered traffic may be shaped to wholesale speeds of 256Kbps between 4pm – 11pm at nbn’s discretion, including peer-to-peer traffic, uploads and downloads to cloud storage platforms, PC and smartphone operating system updates, software/application updates, gaming software updates and any internet activity related to applications, which nbn cannot identify. For more information on unmetered activities and exclusions contact your preferred internet service provider. For details on fair use conditions, contact your internet service provider.

* Most video streaming is metered but streaming embedded video content on certain social media platforms is unmetered, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr and LinkedIn.

Peak times are when most people are using their nbn Sky Muster™ satellite service at the same time (7am – 1am). Off-peak times are when less people are online together (1am - 7am). You may experience slower speeds particularly during busy times (typically in the evening 7-11pm).

For plans powered by nbn™ Sky Muster™, speak to your preferred internet service provider about your metered data allowances in peak and off-peak periods, and what happens when your metered data allowance is exhausted.

For plans powered by nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus, you will have separate metered data allowances for peak and off-peak periods. Once the metered data allowance for a plan is exhausted, traffic on that plan will be shaped as follows:

  • once the peak period metered data allowance is exhausted, further metered data usage during peak periods in that calendar month will be shaped to 512kbps wholesale download speeds and 256kbps wholesale upload speeds; and
  • once the off-peak period metered data allowance is exhausted, further metered data usage during off-peak periods in that calendar month will be shaped to 2,048kbps wholesale download speeds and 512kbps wholesale upload speeds.

Some unmetered activities on plans powered by nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus, including Peer to Peer traffic, Cloud storage platforms, PC and smartphone operating system updates, software/application updates, gaming software updates any traffic related to applications which nbn cannot identify, may also be shaped to wholesale download and upload speeds of 256kbps between the hours of 4pm and 11pm.

As nbn is a wholesaler, you’ll need to speak to your preferred internet service provider to find out whether they offer plans powered by nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus. In most cases, the change should be able to be completed without a further installation, as both the nbn™ Sky Muster and nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus satellite services use the same nbn™ installation equipment. Please confirm with your preferred internet service provider(s) whether they’ll provide any additional equipment or charge any fees.

You will receive the full monthly metered allowance from the day your nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus plan is activated. Your metered data allowance will then be reset on the first day of the next calendar month.

For plans powered by nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus, once the metered data allowance is exhausted, traffic on that plan will be shaped as follows:

  • once the peak period metered data allowance is exhausted, further metered data usage during peak periods in that calendar month will be shaped to 512Kbps wholesale download speeds and 256Kbps wholesale upload speeds; and
  • once the off-peak period metered data allowance is exhausted, further metered data usage during off-peak periods in that calendar month will be shaped to 2,048Kbps wholesale download speeds and 512Kbps wholesale upload speeds.

Shaping of wholesale speeds to 256Kbps may also occur from time to time at nbn’s discretion between the hours of 4pm – 11pm for some unmetered activities including peer-to-peer traffic, cloud storage platforms, PC and smartphone operating system updates, software/application updates, gaming software updates and any traffic related to applications which nbn cannot identify.

As nbn is a wholesaler, you’ll need to contact your preferred internet service provider to change from a plan powered by nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus to a plan powered by nbn™ Sky Muster™. In most cases, the change should be able to be completed without a further installation, as both the nbn™ Sky Muster™ and nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus satellite services use the same nbn™ installation equipment. Please confirm with your preferred internet service provider(s) whether they’ll provide any additional equipment or charge any fees.

By default all internet activities except for video streaming* and traffic via a Virtual Private Network (VPN) are unmetered on plans powered by nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus. Exclusions and fair use conditions apply. For more information on exclusions and fair use conditions, please refer to the nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus wholesale Consumer Plans table or contact your internet services provider.

Note the types of data that are metered is constantly subject to change, please refer to this page [nbn.com.au/skymuster-plus] for the most up-to-date information.

* Most video streaming is metered, but streaming embedded video content on certain social media platforms is unmetered, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr and LinkedIn.

All plans powered by nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus are based on a wholesale speed tier of 25/5Mbps. This means that nbn commits to supply speeds up to a peak wholesale speed of 25/5Mbps at least once a day (and will investigate services that are not able to reach wholesale speeds of 25/5Mbps at least once a day) but some plans powered by nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus may be able to achieve higher speeds (subject to network availability). Speeds that you actually experience will fluctuate, and while some services have the potential to deliver wholesale speeds higher than 25/5Mbps from time to time (subject to available network capacity), this is not guaranteed. Wholesale speeds may be reduced if the metered data allowance is exceeded. Shaping may also occur from time to time in nbn’s discretion between the hours of 4pm and 11pm for some unmetered activities including Peer to Peer traffic, Cloud storage platforms, PC and smartphone operating system updates, application/software updates, gaming software updates and any traffic related to applications which nbn cannot identify.

Note that your experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ broadband access network, depends on the nbn™ access network technology and configuration over which services are delivered to your premises, whether you are using the internet during the busy period, and some factors outside of nbn’s control (like your equipment quality, software and signal reception). Satellite end users may also experience latency.

The nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus Fair Use Policy forms part of the agreement between nbn and internet service providers and is designed to help ensure fair access for all users to the nbn™ Sky Muster™ satellite network – especially during peak usage times. Internet services providers may have their own fair use conditions that apply to your retail contract. For more information, contact your internet service provider.
Your metered data usage meter will reset on the first calendar day of each month.

For plans powered by nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus, once your metered data allowance is exhausted, traffic on your plan will be shaped as follows:

  • once the peak period metered data allowance is exhausted, further metered data usage during peak periods in that calendar month will be shaped to 512kbps wholesale download speeds and 256kbps wholesale upload speeds; and
  • once the off-peak period metered data allowance is exhausted, further metered data usage during off-peak periods in that calendar month will be shaped to 2,048kbps wholesale download speeds and 512kbps wholesale upload speeds.

Shaping of wholesale speeds to 256kbps may also occur from time to time in nbn’s discretion between the hours of 4pm – 11pm for some unmetered activities including Peer to Peer traffic, Cloud storage platforms, PC and smartphone operating system updates, software/application updates, gaming software updates and any traffic related to applications which nbn cannot identify.

Data is how much content you download and upload from and to the internet, whereas speed is how fast this data travels between the internet and your devices. For example, every time you stream an online video, you’re downloading data. If you’re posting an image or saving a file to ‘the cloud’, you’re uploading data. The amount of data you require from your internet plan will be dependent on the kinds of activities you enjoy doing and how often.

Speeds will fluctuate over time. Your experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ broadband access network, depends on many factors including the nbn™ access network technology and configuration over which services are delivered to your premises, whether you are using the internet during the busy period, and some factors outside of nbn’s control (like your equipment quality, software, chosen broadband plan, signal reception, or how your service provider designs its network). For nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus, wholesale speeds may be reduced if the metered data allowance is exceeded (refer to the question titled “What happens when I exhaust my metered data allowance?”). nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus may also be shaped from time to time in nbn’s discretion between the hours of 4pm and 11pm for some unmetered activities including Peer to Peer traffic, Cloud storage platforms, PC and smartphone operating system updates, application/software updates, gaming software updates and any traffic related to applications which nbn cannot identify. Satellite end users may also experience latency.

nbn is a wholesaler and does not set retail prices. Please check with your internet service provider for specific plan costs.
Yes. Regardless of whether you’re uploading or downloading, if an online activity is metered, it will be counted towards your nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus monthly metered data allowance.  Exclusions and fair use conditions apply. Visit this page [www.nbn.com.au/skymuster-plus] or contact your internet service provider. For more details on fair use conditions, contact your internet service provider.
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