Australians in regional and remote areas are seeing a noticeable improvement in broadband options, with wireless and satellite technologies closing the performance gap between city and country.
The latest Measuring Broadband Australia report from the ACCC reveals that NBN Co’s fixed wireless upgrades and Starlink’s satellite services are delivering high-speed internet during peak evening periods — a crucial time for work, education and staying connected.
Based on data collected in March 2025, both networks recorded download speeds exceeding 100 Mbps between 7 and 11 PM on weekdays. Starlink users saw average peak speeds of 170.2 Mbps, while NBN Co’s Fixed Wireless Home Fast and Superfast plans achieved median download speeds of 166.2 Mbps and 283.5 Mbps, respectively.
For households long underserved by traditional fixed-line infrastructure, these numbers represent more than just technical progress. They open the door to smoother video calls, better access to cloud-based work tools and more reliable streaming — all of which are essential for day-to-day communication.
“Australians who live in regional and remote areas and cannot access a fixed-line network rely on alternatives such as satellite and fixed wireless services to connect to the internet,” said ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey. “The introduction of Starlink and upgrades to the NBN Fixed Wireless network have provided these consumers with access to faster speeds than before.”
Upload speed, often overlooked but critical for video conferencing and file sharing, also saw improvement. Starlink’s standard service led the way with an average upload speed of 29.2 Mbps. This was significantly higher than the 11.2 Mbps recorded on the widely used Fixed Wireless Plus plan.
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While Starlink performed better in terms of latency and load times for popular websites, NBN Co’s fixed wireless services experienced fewer outages and lower packet loss. However, the ACCC noted that these differences are relatively small and unlikely to affect most users in a meaningful way.
For communications professionals, this shift has practical implications. Whether managing a community Facebook page, coordinating emergency messages or scheduling digital consultations, the reliability of regional networks now better supports tasks that depend on stable connections. Social media campaigns, live updates and file sharing are more feasible in areas where these were once a challenge.
“In addition to our performance data, we encourage consumers to consider the price of the service, including any hardware and installation costs, and their household’s broadband usage needs,” Ms Brakey added.
As more households and small businesses depend on fast, consistent internet for communication, education and participation in the digital economy, the improvements in wireless and satellite performance signal a meaningful step forward in bridging Australia’s digital divide.
Adrianne Saplagio is a Content Producer at Comms Room, where she combines her passion for storytelling with her expertise in multimedia content creation. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for engaging audiences, Adrianne has been instrumental in crafting compelling narratives that resonate across various digital platforms.
