[Satellite Today 10-14-08] Thaicom’s plans in the Australian broadband market have been boosted by the news that a number of IPStar partners have been selected to be part of the Australian Broadband Guarantee (ABG) subsidy program, Thaicom said Oct. 14.
    The program managed by the Department of Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy grants subsidies to qualified service providers to provide broadband services to areas in Australia that are unable to access metro-comparable broadband services.
    As of September, the number of IPStar broadband satellite subscribers reached about 53,000 in Australia. With Broadband Wireless Pty Ltd. (BBW Telecom), Skymesh, Westnet Pty Ltd., and Westvic Broadband Pty Ltd. joining the program, IPStar Australia is targeting more than 60,000 subscribers by year’s end.