Telstra Country WideTM is using satellite technology to bring the information rich world of the Internet to Australia’s vast rural and remote areas. Using Telstra BigPond broadband satellite, Internet users in these areas can now access the Internet at speeds equivalent to metropolitan Australia – and for the price of a local call. It’s easy, quick and affordable.
Increasingly, Local Governments in rural and remote Australia are accepting the opportunities Telstra BigPond broadband satellite offers their communications reliant, administratively intense activities, involving as they do the delivery of a range of information and services, often over extended distances.
Telstra BigPond broadband satellite offers them new ways of communicating with their constituencies, fellow Councils, and other authorities. Communicating internally and externally via email; receiving online inquiries from their customers; conducting business transactions online, any time; accessing and delivering information almost instantly; establishing their own web presence; creating a community portal – these are some of the ways Local Government can use the Internet to improve business efficiency and customer service.
Telstra BigPond broadband satellite is a clip on high speed Internet service. It enables the user to download information off the Internet – at higher speeds through a satellite dish, with their existing dial up connection. Later this year, Telstra will introduce a 2-way service, requiring new hardware and software, which will enable data to be both downloaded and uploaded at high speed via the satellite dish.
Murrurundi Council, north of New South Wales’ Hunter Valley, about half way between Maitland and Tamworth, is using BigPond broadband satellite. It is an essential tool for staff to log on to varying websites each day to access a range of information that enables Council to function efficiently – for instance, information relating to finance, planning, health, building and regulations.
“Satellite is quick and efficient and Telstra service is very good,” said Tony Perkins, Council’s Corporate Services Manager. “It saves time, paper and I believe it will save us a lot of dollars over time. We couldn’t be without it.”
* Copy provided by Telstra
