Better net for Flying Doctors

ROYAL Flying Doctor Service bases will soon be better connected.

Minister for Regional Communications Fiona Nash has welcomed NBN Co’s partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), which will provide broadband to 24 RFDS bases and 300 remote area clinics across Australia.

Many of these remote RFDS clinics had little or no internet connectivity and will now receive broadband through the Sky Muster satellites.

Speaking at the Sky Muster demonstration van in Alice Springs, Minister Nash said 14 remote RFDS clinics would soon be able to use Telehealth services, which allow patients to videoconference with specialists and doctors all over the country.

“This is one of the really great things the Sky Muster satellites are doing – helping to improve the health of remote Australians,” Minister Nash said.

“Last week, I announced a 50% increase in peak data for Sky Muster customers and a doubling of off-peak data at little extra costs – and NBN will work to provide even more data than that to the RFDS.

“This partnership between RFDS and Sky Muster will also advance moves to host Sky Muster receivers in planes, so they can send live data – say from a heart monitor, to a heart specialist anywhere in the country, who can provide live advice.

“After inheriting the satellites from Labor, we’ve worked hard to stabilise the service and provide more data.

“The Sky Muster satellites shoot beams down from 36 kilometres above earth to provide broadband internet to the most remote parts of Australia, and I’m thrilled they’ll now be providing broadband to the Flying Doctors.”

NBN Co is set to continue to work alongside the RFDS to further develop the partnership arrangements this year.

Assessment of the trial will occur next year.

Sky Muster is an ultra-modern satellite made to deliver high-speed internet to 4% of Australian homes and businesses, mostly in remote areas.