How we’re backing remote Australian businesses with Satellite Internet powered by Starlink from Telstra

Telstra has a long history supporting Australian small businesses by providing essential connectivity, technology solutions, and advice, enabling them to focus on what they do best.
Amanda Hutton · 03 September 2024 · 3 minute read

We believe in the power of connection, which is why we continue to innovate and pioneer new ways to connect our customers. Ultimately, we always want to make sure Australian small  businesses and their customers have the best tech possible so they can bring amazing new innovations to life.

According to our recent Business Tech State of Play report, the connected tech that will have the biggest and most positive impact on Australian SMBs over the next one to two years is renewed access to fast, reliable and secure internet connectivity. Businesses can’t unlock new and exciting opportunities if they don’t have good access to connectivity!

Today, that’s where our world-first Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite internet and voice service powered by Starlink service comes in.

Connecting remote Aussie small businesses with Satellite

 

Regional  businesses make up 30% of all small businesses across Australia. And our latest offering for small business customers, LEO Satellite internet and voice service powered by Starlink, is a new way we are supporting connectivity in more remote locations, helping customers to reliably connect their business in places they’ve never been able to before. 

This world-first LEO Satellite internet and voice service is now available to eligible small businesses (those with no more than five employees) at the same cost as the consumer plan, priced at $125 per month and the cost of the Starlink Kit, $599. 

The plan includes unlimited data, with maximum speeds of 50Mbps download and 10Mbps upload, and comes with the latest Telstra Smart Modem Gen 3.

It's set to provide additional connectivity options for businesses in rural and remote areas where traditional terrestrial networks are historically or geographically challenged. By leveraging satellite technology, we’re able to ensure that some of the most isolated businesses can access broadband internet. 

LEO satellite connectivity, powered by Starlink, is also available to order for our Enterprise customers, via our Telstra Starlink Enterprise Internet plans. 

Telstra Business: powering smarter small businesses

Launching Starlink-powered LEO Satellite internet and voice service for our small business customers is just the latest milestone from a year of working to serve  businesses better. 

Another major milestone was the “insourcing” of the majority of the Telstra Business Technology Centre (TBTC) channel from partner ownership to Telstra-owned operations. 

Now we can introduce improvements and training for our teams more quickly which means that customers can expect a more consistent experience across our network of 26 TBTCs around the country. We recently invested in opening a new TBTC in Sydney South, ahead of the new Western Sydney Airport coming online in the next few years and the predicted strong business growth the area is anticipating.

As businesses do more online, cyber threats are an ever-present danger around the clock. That’s why Telstra Business continues to partner with the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA)'s Cyber Wardens program to help deliver free training to small and medium businesses to help tackle these threats and stay on the lookout for scams. 

Our first year of Telstra Business has been marked by laying strong foundations to support the future of Australian small business. We’ve pushed strategic initiatives, operational enhancements, and a strong commitment to customer support and small business advocacy setting us up for continued success and growth in the coming years. 

By Amanda Hutton

Group Executive, Telstra Business

Amanda has more than 20 years experience in the telecommunications industry gained through senior roles leading service, customer and product teams for globally recognised telecommunications brands.

As Telstra's Group Executive, Telstra Business, Amanda leads a team of experts responsible for providing the right connectivity, technology and digitisation solutions to support innovation and growth for Australia's small and medium sized businesses.  

Prior to leading Telstra Business, Amanda was Telstra Retail & Regional Executive where she was accountable for building Telstra into a world class retailer, delivering growth in Telstra's Small Business Technology Centres and supporting customers and stakeholders in regional Australia. 

Since joining Telstra, she has also managed Telstra's 9 million consumer customers who collectively generated more than AUD$11 billion in annual revenues and led teams responsible for creating brilliant customer experiences by building simplified products and seamless digital journeys.

Amanda has a Bachelor of Commerce/LLB from the University of New South Wales. She lives in Sydney with her family and is a keen bushwalker and sports fan. 

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