Optus Satellite joins forces with Farmside NZ

Optus Satellite has announced a whole of business relationship with NZX-listed TeamTalk Ltd subsidiary, Farmside to deliver broadband services for remote New Zealand communities.

Farmside is a rural broadband internet specialist based on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

The agreement will see the delivery of satellite internet services to Farmside’s residential, farming and business customers in remote and rural locations across New Zealand.

Optus Satellite Vice President Paul Sheridan said, “Optus Satellite has a long history in New Zealand of providing primarily pay TV services, and we are continuing to expand our range of services and affiliations like Farmside, in New Zealand.

New Zealand’s topography and population location diversity present many challenges in the provision of telecommunications services. We are pleased to be able to join with Farmside to improve the delivery of internet services to their customers via our satellite network.”

Farmside General Manager Stuart Cooper said, “We are delighted to sign this agreement, which enables us to meet the growing demand for faster satellite broadband services to Farmside customers throughout the country. This improved access is a digital lifeline that will deliver increased data caps and improved speeds.”

As part of the arrangement, Farmside will be using Optus partner Gateway Teleport to provide the earth station access to the Optus D2 satellites’ dedicated New Zealand payload, which was launched in 2007. The D2 satellite is stationed north-west of New Zealand at the 152 degrees East geostationary orbital location.