The first of two national broadband network satellites has blasted off into space, bringing faster internet speeds a step closer for regional Australians.
The satellite - named Sky Muster by six-year-old Northern Territory student Bailey Brooks - was launched from French Guiana, in South America, this morning.
For mother-of-three Sally Coady, a long wait to send emails is just part of her day-to-day routine.
Living on a farm in Canowindra, in central west NSW, she mixes the duties on her property with her work for the Department of Education.
Fast internet speeds are an unknown luxury.
She says that will all change when the signal from the first National Broadband Network (NBN) satellite beams into her region next year.
"Having access to the internet will allow us to work from home, and allow us to access the outside world," Mrs Coady said.
“It’ll also give my children access to the outside world.”
High-speed internet access to 400,000 Australians in remote communities is expected come to fruition by April, after the first NBN satellite was launched into orbit today.
It is the first of two satellites to be sent into space to boost broadband speeds for regional Australians, with the second to be launched next year.
They will be supported by a network of 10 ground stations, beaming across the country.
“We intend to cover about 400,000 homes and businesses with this satellite system,” said NBN CEO Bill Morrow.
“The remote areas of this country have for too far and too long been left without quality broadband, and this satellite will change that.”
Communications Minister Senator Mitch Fifield lauded the launch, calling it a “critical step in bringing the NBN to Australians no matter where they live”.
"It's gonna be something incredible for education, E-health for distance education in particular,” Minister Fifield said.
“It will open up new markets."
She says the satellite's name, The 'Sky Muster', is appropriate.
“Because it’s mustering all the knowledge of the world,” Bailey explained.
The seven-year-old Top End student who named the satellite was also happy about the launch.
“It'll help us doing faster internet for school,” she said.
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