The government-owned company in charge of building Australia's National Broadband Network NBN Co and pay-TV operator Austar have agreed that NBN Co will buy Austar's spectrum for a fixed-wireless service to rural and regional areas. NBN Co will acquire Austar's 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz spectrum holdings for AUD 120 million. The AUD 120 million payment comprises AUD 58 million for the subsidiary that holds the spectrum licences, with a further AUD 62 million for the assignment of this subsidiary's debt. The first NBN Co fixed-wireless commercial services are scheduled for delivery in mid 2012. NBN Co has previously outlined plans to deliver next-generation wireless and satellite services to 7 percent of premises outside its fibre footprint. NBN Co recently announced its pricing for wholesale broadband services starting at a download speed of 12/1 Mbps for a uniform national wholesale access price of AUD 24 a month.
