Austar launches wireless broadband in Wagga Wagga

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 08 June 2006 17:20

Your IT - Home IT

See also: Austar names Navini as wireless net supplier
Soul to provide backhaul for Austar's regional wireless broadband

Austar has launched its broadband wireless access network in Wagga Wagga, the first of 25 markets in regional Australia it plans to cover by the end of 2007.

The Wagga Wagga network covers about 14,000 homes. When the network is operational in all 25 centres Austar expects about 750,000 homes will be able to receive the service. The network uses the same Navini technology as Unwired Australia and the two companies have agreed to support roaming between their respective networks.

Austar is offering the service from $24.95 per month, with no lock-in contracts for a 256/64 service with 300Mbytes. It also offers a 'build-you-own-plan' option under which users can choose any combination of speed (256/64, 512/128 and 1024/256 at $24.95, $34.95 and $59.95 per month respectively) and download limit (330MB, 2GB or 10GB at $0.00, $15.00 and $50.00 per month).

Austar claims to have invested approximately $1 million in its Wagga Wagga network and has installed base stations on existing infrastructure at Willans Hill and Johnston Street.

Local retailers including Dick Smith Electronics and Tandy will sell Austar wireless modems, and the service can be ordered online at www.austarbroadband.com.au.