[Satellite News 10-11-10] Optus’ satellite fleet is working to reduce Australia’s digital divide at a time when the government is making significant investments in broadband connectivity, including the Australian Broadband Guarantee (ABG) policy that provides subsidies for users in rural areas to buy broadband satellite equipment.
    In an interview with Satellite News, Paul Sheridan, director of satellite for Optus, hailed the successes of Australia’s broadband strategy and discussed how government policies may influence the company’s growth in the future.

Satellite News: How will Australian Broadband Guarantee Policy affect Optus?

Sheridan: Under the ABG, we can offer our premium VSAT service, Optus Premium Satellite (OPS), which is about six times faster than the base ABG requirement at speeds of 6 megabits down and 1 megabit up. OPS will initially be aimed at small businesses and corporate enterprise customers, particularly in the mining and construction sectors, where work sites can be quite remote and companies are looking to provide remote workers with better Internet access.

Satellite News: Does the government’s investment in broadband create a business case for Ka-band satellite in Australia?

Sheridan: I think the environment lends itself to Ka-band. The issue is whether there are enough under-served users. The landmass of Australia is large, but most of the population occupies high-density metro areas.

Satellite News: What is Optus’ plan to provide increased capacity over Australia?

Sheridan: We have recently completed our D-Series of satellites, with the successful launch of Optus D3 last year. The Optus D-series Satellites increased our fleet capacity and represents an overall investment in excess of $590.34 million. 
The D-Series had two strains to it. First, we had a replacement for the earlier satellites. But there was also a growth component to it. The addition of the D3 satellite increased our fleet capacity by over 30 percent. That capacity has enabled us to pursue some good opportunities and secure some new business. For example, we recently announced that we had secured new contracts with four major Australian broadcasters as part of the governments digital switchover program. This will enable the government to switch off analog TV signals and move to a digital solution. This will help to create the digital dividend the Australian government has talked about.

Satellite News: Are there long-term plans for additional satellites to provide extra capacity after Optus C1?

Sheridan: The additional capacity that the D3 satellite has provided is, we believe, adequate to address opportunities in the short term. We are always looking at new opportunities. I cannot plan forward for the next satellite to replace the C1 satellite, as it was only launched in 2003. That requirement is still a fair way off.

Satellite News: How do you see Australia’s telecoms/broadcast landscape changing over the next year?

Sheridan: I think Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) might have the biggest effect on that landscape moving forward. Today, the bread and butter of our business comes from our broadcast customers, so, for us, it’s all about digital switchover, HD, and even early moves to 3-D TV as well as potential VSAT opportunities. We have done a couple of successful trials on the delivery of 3-D television and are starting to distribute major sporting events here in 3-D, but we have to see what the broadcasters’ requirements are for 3-D, so this could present opportunities for us, if they decide they want to do more 3-D transmissions.
    The NBN will have a major impact on how we progress. From our point of view, terrestrial and satellite technologies are complementary. Satellite has to be involved because of the vast distances in Australia — a fact that has been recognized by our government.

Satellite News: Does Optus provide services outside of Australia?

Sheridan: Our satellite coverage is spread across Australia and New Zealand, and we deliver the majority of satellite based TV and radio services to across both countries. We also have the ability to extend networks and secure capacity on third party satellite uplinks for our corporate customers with overseas locations. We have two international Earth stations, so we can uplink via Perth or Sydney to get down across the Indian or Pacific Ocean into Asia or Africa or North America, if required.