Australian Rural & Regional News asked some further questions of NBN Co and Amazon, answered below the release.
NBN Co, Media Release, 5 August 2025
NBN Co and Amazon today announced an agreement to deliver high-speed, wholesale fixed broadband to customers in parts of regional, rural and remote Australia via Project Kuiper’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology.
Project Kuiper is Amazon’s satellite broadband business that will provide fast, reliable internet to customers around the world. Amazon is planning to launch its service in Australia from the middle of 2026.
When Project Kuiper launches in Australia, NBN Co plans to offer wholesale residential-grade fixed LEO satellite broadband services to more than 300,000 premises within our existing satellite footprint via participating Retail Service Providers (RSPs).
NBN’s wholesale LEO satellite offering powered by Project Kuiper will be available to both eligible 1 existing and new customers within NBN’s satellite footprint, via participating RSPs.
The agreement will enable NBN Co to transition from its existing geostationary Sky Muster satellite service over the coming years and will complement NBN Co’s investments in fibre and fixed wireless upgrades for regional Australia.
NBN Co will shortly start consultation with RSPs, regional communities and stakeholders, to help inform what speed tiers are offered, wholesale pricing and the upgrade for customers.
The consultation will consider the offer of equipment and professional initial standard installation and assurance at no cost for existing eligible 1 nbn satellite customers, via participating RSPs.
Project Kuiper’s low-latency, high-bandwidth satellite network will provide significant improvements to the quality and reliability of broadband for eligible regional, rural and remote communities.
To achieve its goals, Project Kuiper is deploying thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit —connected to each other by high-speed optical links that will create a mesh network in space—and linked to a global network of antennas, fibre, and internet connection points on the ground.
The initial satellite constellation will include more than 3,200 satellites, which began deploying in April 2025 with its first operational launch. There are currently 78 Kuiper satellites in orbit, after three successful launches in less than three months.
Ellie Sweeney, Chief Executive Officer at NBN Co, said:
“LEO satellite broadband, supplied by NBN Co and powered by Amazon’s Project Kuiper, will be a major leap forward for customers in parts of regional, rural and remote Australia.
“This important agreement will complement our other major network upgrades that have involved the rollout of full fibre services across much of our fixed line network and the deployment of the latest 5G millimetre wave technology to improve the speed and capacity of our fixed wireless network.
“Australians deserve to have access to fast, effective broadband regardless of whether they live in a major city, on the outskirts of a country town or miles from their nearest neighbour. That’s what nbn was set up to deliver. By upgrading to next generation LEO satellite broadband powered by Project Kuiper, we are working to bring the best available technology to Aussies in the bush.
“Transitioning from two geostationary satellites to a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites will help to ensure the nbn network is future-ready and delivers the best possible broadband experience to customers living and working in parts of regional, rural and remote Australia.
“We plan to bring faster, lower latency broadband to Australians living and working in regional, rural and remote areas, enabling their ongoing participation in the economy for work, study, telehealth, streaming entertainment and connecting with family and friends.
“This new LEO service will eventually replace our geostationary satellites, and we are committed to working with regional communities to ensure we provide continuity of service and make the transition as smooth and seamless as possible.”
Rajeev Badyal, Vice President, Technology at Amazon’s Project Kuiper, said:
“We’ve designed Project Kuiper to be the most advanced satellite system ever built, and we’re combining that innovation with Amazon’s long track record of making everyday life better for customers. We’re proud to be working with NBN to bring Kuiper to even more customers and communities across Australia and look forward to creating new opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people in rural and remote parts of the country.”
From Sky Muster to LEO
NBN Co will continue to maintain and operate its two geostationary Sky Muster satellites until the company transitions to Project Kuiper’s satellite network to help enable continuity for customers in parts of regional, rural and remote Australia that are reliant on satellite telecommunications.
NBN Co’s two Sky Muster satellites are expected to remain viable and operational until approximately 2032, so the company is exploring its options regarding these assets, once all existing customers have been transitioned to nbn’s new wholesale LEO satellite offering, powered by Project Kuiper.
Registrations of Interest via NBN Co website
NBN Co has invited existing Sky Muster and Sky Muster Plus customers and potential new customers to register their interest to receive updates at nbnco.com.au/register.
Australian Rural & Regional News asked some questions of NBN Co and Amazon.
ARR.News: What is the difference between Telstra’s arrangement with StarLink and this arrangement between NBN and Amazon?
NBN Co, Amazon: When Project Kuiper launches in Australia in 2026, NBN Co plans to offer wholesale low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband services to approximately 300,000 eligible customers within nbn’s satellite footprint via participating retailers.
NBN Co will be able to offer the most advanced, high-performance broadband, powered by the Project Kuiper network, which combines satellites with next-generation customer terminals, ground gateways, and global networking and infrastructure.
NBN Co will provide all state-of-the-art equipment designed by Project Kuiper, including free professional installation, offering a compelling, seamless experience for customers.
ARR.News: It’s described as a major leap forward to customers in parts of regional, rural and remote Australia – which parts exactly?
NBN Co, Amazon: NBN Co plans to offer wholesale Project Kuiper LEO satellite broadband services to approximately 300,000 eligible customers within NBN’s satellite footprint via participating retailers.
NBN Co has invited existing Sky Muster and Sky Muster Plus customers and potential new customers to register their interest to receive updates at nbnco.com.au/register.
ARR.News: How will regional, rural and remote user costs compare with city-based user costs?
NBN Co, Amazon: NBN Co will shortly start consultation with internet retailers, regional communities and stakeholders to help inform what speed tiers are offered, wholesale pricing and the upgrade process for customers.
The consultation will consider the offer of equipment and professional initial standard installation and assurance at no cost for existing eligible nbn satellite customers, via participating RSPs.
NBN Co will commence this consultation process with an expectation that our wholesale pricing for the new LEO satellite broadband serve that will be comparable the wholesale pricing arrangements of our fixed and fixed wireless technologies. Further information will be available in due course.
ARR.News: Does this assist in any way with dealing with the impacts of the ceasing of Telstra’s 3G service?
NBN Co, Amazon: NBN Co is a Statutory Infrastructure Provider of wholesale broadband services for fixed address residential and business premises, which are supplied to customers via retail service providers.
NBN Co’s mission has always been to connect every home and business across Australia with the right technology for each location and with high-speed, low-latency performance that meets modern digital demands.
