is an Australian
Telecommunications company. Its main business activity is
Pay TV , although it is also involved with
Internet Access and
Mobile Phones . The company commenced operations in 1995, and thus celebrated its 10th birthday in 2005. Austar's current slogan is "You'll love what's on!"
Austar Homepage and Logo (accessed 2007-09-06)
AUSTAR United - About Us - Our Services (accessed 2007-09-06)
It is owned by (). 54% of Austar United is owned by
Liberty Global , through United Austar Partners. The remaining 46% is owned by public shareholders Austar United Website: http://www.austarunited.com.au/aboutus/ownership.asp
Austar also owns 50% of
XYZnetworks , a pay television program provider, a 50-50 joint venture between
Foxtel and Austar. XYZnetworks Website: http://www.xyznetworks.com.au/xyznetworks/About.aspxAustar United 2005 Annual Report
Established in 2000, Austar Mobile offers mobile services via resale agreements with
Optus and
Telstra for access to their
GSM and
CDMA mobile networks respectively.
At the end of 2005, there were about 30,500 customers. Austar United 2005 Annual Report
Established in 2000, Austarnet currently outsources its network to
COMindico and is available across Australia.
At the end of 2005, there were about 38,326 customers. Austar United 2005 Annual Report
Austar's main business is subscription television, serving customers outside of the major metro areas. It takes programming from both
Foxtel and
Optus services, and operates in both analogue and digital platforms.
Austar Television is available in 2.4 million homes in regional and rural areas of all mainland states (bar
Western Australia ), Gold Coast, Tasmania & the capital cities of Darwin & Hobart. Subscriber numbers to Austar Television are second behind
Foxtel . Delivery methods include utilising the
Optus C-Class Satellite
Optus C1 and a digital cable network in
Darwin
Launched in March 2004, Austar Digital subscribers account for about 75% of all of Austar's Television Subscribers. In October 2004 the cable network utilised in Darwin was converted to allow the Austar Digital product to be sold over that delivery method.
In December 2006 it was reported that Austar was in talks with Channels
Seven and
Ten about providing AFL coverage to rural areas.
Announced in November 2005,
Thomson SA have been awarded the contract for the development of a 4 tuner PDR, two of which will be dedicated for Australia's Digital Terrestrial free-to-air (FTA) service. MyStar will also allow for recording of two shows at one time, while still being able to watch one pre-recorded
Mr. Porter had announced that the MyStar personal digital recorder has been delayed back to August 2007 rather than the May 2007 release date they had planned. http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/austar-tunes-in-with-earnings-lift/2007/04/18/1176696914501.html
As of July 5, 2007, the MyStar will cost an extra $10 a month on top of the subscriber's current monthly fee. It is similar to
Foxtel IQ .
These are not available on Darwin cable.
- Channel 555 - Games World
In 2005, Austar United and wireless internet provider
Unwired announced a deal to swap spectrum under either companies control to allow for interoperable wireless broadband services across the country. In 2006, Austar United and
Unwired together with
Soul formed AUSalliance for the purposes of obtaining funding from the Australian Government's Broadband Connect Infrastructure Program and rolling out a regional broadband network Austar United Press Release: http://www.austarunited.com.au/pdf/06-03-29%20AUSTAR%20_%20Soul%20partner%20for%20regional%20b'dband%20network.pdf
Austar holds a considerable number of 2.5 & 3.5 GHz spectrum licences that they have purchased for delivery of their former
MMDS Service and for an ill-fated attempt at wireless internet through a joint-venture with
Chello
The deal will also allow
WIMAX wireless services to commence in Australia.
Austar Broadband has launched wireless (non-WIMAX) services in:
- June 2006 - Service launched in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales Austar United Press Release: http://www.austarunited.com.au/pdf/06-06-08%20AUSTAR%20Broadband%20launch%20release%20-%20final.pdf
- November 2006 - Service launched in Tamworth, New South Wales Austar United Press Release: http://www.austarunited.com.au/pdf/06-11-28%20AUSTAR%20broadband%20arrives%20in%20Tamworth.pdf
- End 2007 - Further 24 markets
