Satellite Internet for your small office or home office

Internet for Australia’s most remote businesses

There are many ways to connect your business to the internet. But if you want to run a business in a more remote part of Australia, your internet options may be more limited than in other places. The good news is that Satellite Internet is a newer solution for business internet that can help eligible customers connect and do business in more remote locations.

In this article we explore:

• What Satellite Internet is and how it works
• How it can help your business stay connected
• How to get set up with a Satellite Internet plan.

What is Satellite Internet?

Satellite Internet leverages satellites at different altitudes in space to provide internet spanning across large geographies. Newer technologies like Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are positioned closer to the Earth which means they can offer lower latency and higher bandwidth satellite connectivity compared with satellites at a higher altitude.

The introduction of LEO satellites has helped improve Satellite Internet experiences in terms of speeds and latency. Latency is the time it takes for data to pass from point A (e.g. your laptop) on a network to point B (e.g. a cloud solution server). 

Simply put, these improvements mean that Satellite Internet can offer a better experience than with just geostationary satellites. And that’s great news for customers in locations that are harder to reach with traditional or land-based mobile networks.

For example, if you’re using the internet for real time applications like audio and video calling, it’ll help you get a smoother experience.

How does Satellite Internet work?

Here’s a simple breakdown of how Satellite Internet works:

1. Your Starlink Kit transmits to and receives a signal from space.
2. The satellite receives the signal and sends it back to the nearest ground station in region that is connected to the internet.
3. The ground station sends the internet data back up to the satellite.
4. The satellite then sends the data back to the remote end for your Starlink Kit to receive.

This process happens very quickly as the active Starlink Kit continues to ping the satellite in space to help maintain your connection. Placement of your Starlink Kit is important to achieve an optimal connection, which we explore further below.

Can I use Satellite Internet for my office?

Yes, if you’re operating a small business with up to 5 employees in a remote part of Australia and need an internet and voice connection at a premises, you may be eligible for Satellite Internet.

What does Telstra’s Satellite Internet plan include?

Telstra’s Satellite Internet for Business Plan is suitable for businesses with up to five employees. It offers voice and data connectivity and includes the Telstra Smart Modem for use, unlimited data, unlimited calls to standard Australian numbers and Aussie-based support. If a customer leaves within the first 24 months, they can return the modem or pay a non-return fee.

If your business needs more capacity, then you may want to explore Telstra Starlink Enterprise Internet which may be available for larger businesses.

Starlink kit and accessories

You may also need a kit and accessories to get fully set up at your business premises. Starlink Kit from Telstra is sold separately and comes with:

• Starlink dish
• Starlink router
• Kickstand for ground mounting
• Cables and power supply

Getting started with satellite internet

Once you’ve signed up for a plan and set up your kit, it’s easy to get connected. 

1. Plug in Starlink, aim your Starlink dish at the sky and make sure the view’s clear with the dish facing upwards.
2. Connect your Starlink router and Telstra Smart Modem

Wall and roof mounting

Whilst the Starlink Kit includes a kickstand, you may also want to consider mounting the dish in a secure location free from obstructions. This may help maximise the quality of your connection by improving line of sight with the sky.  Wall and roof mount accessories are available to buy if you’d like to permanently mount your kit on higher ground.

Setting up for success

It’s important to set up your Starlink kit in the optimal location at your premises from the start. Moving it around is not recommended because it’s designed to be used in a fixed location.

You may require support when installing Satellite Internet at your office or home. We recommend you use a licensed professional in your area if:

• you want to permanently fix the Starlink Kit with one of our optional accessories; or
• you want to conceal or permanently install any cabling.

Connect your business like you couldn’t before

Internet access can be essential for small businesses in all parts of Australia. You may be collaborating with your team, connecting with customers or digitising your business operations to create more efficiency.

Getting access to the internet in regional or remote Australia can help you connect in new ways. Satellite Internet may help boost productivity for eligible small businesses in regional or remote Australia.

Explore Telstra’s Satellite Internet Plans.