With over 60,000 subscribers and growing, IPSTAR is Australia’s largest VSAT network operator.

Designed to push satellite Internet into the mainstream of broadband choices, IPSTAR enables service providers to connect residential and small business users to affordable consumer broadband connectivity at prices comparable to Digital Subscriber Line (DSL). With IPSTAR, service providers can now offer previously isolated communities with high speed broadband Internet, with access speeds similar to metropolitan areas.

The IPSTAR broadband Internet has opened up a whole new world for the couple, Rob and Meg, who are currently living in the rural town of Clare in southern Australia.

Previously, they were facing the problem of having no Internet connection after moving from Adelaide to their new house in Clare. "We had limited broadband access since we gave up the BigPond DSL in Adelaide. For the last 10 months, we had been using the Internet at my friend's place. Although it is great to catch up with them, it will be more convenient to check little things from home", said Rob.

The major breakthrough came to Rob when one of his clients introduced and explained to him the government's Australian Broadband Guarantee (ABG) program, which offers incentives for broadband subscribers living in difficult-to-reach and remote areas. "After spending considerable amount of time reading and researching information on ABG, I applied for Activ8me broadband Internet service", he informed.

Activ8me offers broadband Internet service for as low as AUD 29.95* a month. The service provides Internet connection anywhere in the country via IPSTAR. In a large country like Australia - which is mostly surrounded with mountain ranges, semi-arid deserts and vast farmlands - Activ8me opens up opportunities to rural locations that lack access to high speed Internet.

"Brett, the installation guy, called me to arrange the time, but I had little idea where we were - so I agreed to meet him in a pub and to bring him up here. It was surprisingly cold in that day, but the weather didn't dampen my spirit. We would have IPSTAR Internet access at home very soon without installing a phone line - which we don't need", said Rob while narrating his story.

"After unpacking the equipment, the IPSTAR antenna was mounted on the roof and was aligned in the right spot. Few moments later, my new laptop found the network and I was immediately got connected online", he added.

For Rob and Meg, having IPSTAR broadband access at home has helped them in their daily activities. They are now able to access high speed online services - such as banking, shopping and news - like never before. "With broadband Internet, we can now consistently communicate with our family and friends online, and keep more involved in blogging", added Meg.

Designed to push satellite Internet into the mainstream of broadband access, IPSTAR offers affordable bandwidth and rapidly deployable user terminals - anywhere, anytime under its extensive footprint. In addition, the IPSTAR satellite solution provides interoperability between networks, broadcasting services, last mile connectivity, mobile trunking and disaster recovery communications whenever terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable.

IPSTAR broadband service for Australians gets even better with Activ8me’s recently introduced service package, ‘Activ8me Unleashed’. To find out more, visit www.activ8me.net.au.