From October the NBN will double the peak data available to Sky Muster users from 75 gigabytes (GB) a month to 150GB/month.

At the same time NBN is also doubling the amount of data available to Sky Muster customers on a monthly basis from 150GB/month to 300GB/month.

As a result, the majority of consumers and businesses on the service are expected to receive larger peak and off-peak plans from their retailer at a similar cost to what they are paying today.

The Sky Muster system has been operational for 15 months but the NBN Company’s chief executive Bill Morrow said the extra data couldn’t be offered until rigorous testing had been carried out.

“Late last year we made the decision to re-purpose our second satellite, previously slated as a dormant backup service to actively share the load in delivering more data to customers on the Sky Muster service,” Mr Morrow said.

“After spending the last year reviewing and testing the capabilities of the service, we are now comfortable that we have the capacity to offer increased data packages to retailers.”

Mr Morrow said further offerings on business and education data plans are expected to be available in the next 12 to 18 months.

Regional Communications Minister Fiona Nash said she understood Sky Muster did not supply enough data allowance for some customers, particularly for businesses, and asked the NBN Co board to find ways to deliver more data to customers.  

“This increase in data is a great first step and there's more on the way, including plans created for businesses,” Ms Nash said.

An extra 35 gigabytes of peak data would allow, for example, a business to do do 50 more hours of high definition videoconferencing with colleagues and clients, or a student to do 25 more hours of watching university lectures each month, or a photographer to send an extra 3500 pictures a month.

Peak advocacy group Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia (BIRRR) is thrilled with the NBN’s announcement today. 

"BIRRR has advocated for increased data limits ever since the launch of Sky Muster, as we believe the current maximum of 75GB is inadequate for the multiple needs that rural customers often require,” said BIRRR’s Kristy Sparrow.

“The doubling of wholesale data allowances will make a significant difference to communications in the bush.  Rural businesses are not one size fits all, and if we are to encourage growth and innovation in regional areas, we need to ensure connectivity is on par with our urban counterparts.”

She said the ball is now in the court of the retail service providers to pass on the extra data to consumers.

“I would like to see the full increases passed on to people,” she said.

“I’m thinking positively, and I really hope that they are, but it really comes down to that affordability as well – there’s no point giving them the full data if people can’t afford the packages.” 

Ms Sparrow said her group will continue to lobby for regular ongoing reviews of Sky Muster data limits.

The group is also lobbying for improved reliability, changes to off peak hours, business grade services and an increased fixed wireless footprint to help alleviate pressure on the Sky Muster satellite network.