Austar
| Austar United Communications Ltd | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | Public |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Sydney, New South Wales Gold Coast, Queensland |
| Key people | John Porter, CEO Mike Fries, Chairman |
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Products | Austar Television Austarnet Austar Mobile |
Austar is an Australian telecommunications company. Its main business
activity is
It is owned by Austar United Communications Limited (ASX: AUN). 54% of Austar United is owned by Liberty Global, through United Austar Partners. The remaining 46% is owned by public shareholders [3]
Austar also owns 50% of XYZnetworks, a pay television program provider, a 50-50 joint venture between Foxtel and Austar. [4][5]
Mobile telephony (Austar Mobile)
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. [6]
Dial-up internet (Austarnet)
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. [7]
Subscription television (Austar Television / Austar Digital)
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. [citation needed] 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
Austar Digital
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. [citation needed]
The MyStar Personal Digital Recorder
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. [8] The Mystar will cost $49.95 to install and $14.95 extra per month. As of October 2007 no further information has been announced.
Channel line-up
 |
It has been suggested that this section be split into a new article entitled List of Austar channels. (Discuss) |
General
- Channel 101 - TV1
- Channel 102 - ABC TV NSW (ABC TV NT on Darwin cable)
- Channel 103 - UK.TV
- Channel 104 - SBS
- Channel 105 - Arena TV
- Channel 106 - The LifeStyle Channel
- Channel 108 - FOX8
- Channel 112 - FOX Classics
- Channel 113 - The Comedy Channel
- Channel 114 - W.
- Channel 116 - Hallmark Channel
- Channel 117 - LifeStyle Food
- Channel 118 - How To Channel
- Channel 120 - Foxtel Box Office Preview Channel (Box Office channel and Preview)
- Channel 120 - Adults Only
- Channel 121 - E!
- Channel 123 - Fashion TV
- Channel 125 - Ovation
- Channel 126 - ABC2
- Channel 132 - Sci Fi
- Channel 150 - FOX8 + 2
- Channel 151 - TV1 + 2
- Channel 152 - FOX Classics + 2
- Channel 153 - The Comedy Channel + 2
- Channel 154 - Arena + 2
- Channel 156 - UK.TV + 2
- Channel 157 - The LifeStyle Channel + 2
- Channel 176 - TVSN
- Channel 177 - Expo Channel
- Channel 182 - Australian Christian Channel
- Channel 183 - Aurora Community Television
Regional ABC TV variants
These are not available on Darwin cable.
- Channel 193 - ABC TV Queensland
- Channel 194 - ABC TV NSW
- Channel 195 - ABC TV Victoria
- Channel 196 - ABC TV SA
- Channel 197 - ABC TV TAS
Movies
- Channel 401 - SHOWTIME
- Channel 402 - SHOWTIME + 2
- Channel 403 - SHOWCASE Starts Dec 1st [9]
- Channel 404 - SHOWTIME GREATS
- Channel 411 - MOVIE ONE
- Channel 412 - MOVIE TWO
- Channel 413 - MOVIE EXTRA
- Channel 415 - MOVIE GREATS
- Channel 417 - TCM
- Channel 419 - World Movies
Sports
- Channel 501 - FOX Sports 1
- Channel 502 - FOX Sports 2
- Channel 503 - FOX Sports 3
- Channel 508 - ESPN Australia
- Channel 510 - Setanta Sports
- Channel 513 - FoxSportsNews
- Channel 514 - EUROSPORTNEWS
- Channel 516 - FUEL TV
- Channel 518 - Main Event (also shows previews of Box Office)
- Channel 519 - Sky Racing
- Channel 520 - TVN
Games
- Channel 555 - Games World
News
- Channel 601 - Sky News Australia
- Channel 603 - The Weather Channel
- Channel 604 - FOX News
- Channel 605 - CNN International
- Channel 606 - BBC World
- Channel 648 - SBS World News Channel
- Channel 650 - Bloomberg Television
- Channel 652 - CNBC Australia
Factual
- Channel 115 - Bio.
- Channel 517 - Adventure One
- Channel 608 - The History Channel
- Channel 610 - Discovery Channel
- Channel 612 - National Geographic Channel
- Channel 615 - Animal Planet
- Channel 617 - Crime and Investigation Network
- Channel 638 - Discovery Science Channel
- Channel 640 - Discovery Home & Health Channel
- Channel 646 - Discovery Travel & Living Channel
Kids
- Channel 701 - Nickelodeon
- Channel 703 - Nick Jr.
- Channel 707 - Disney Channel
- Channel 709 - Playhouse Disney
- Channel 713 - Cartoon Network
- Channel 715 - Boomerang
Music
- Channel 801 - Channel [V]
- Channel 803 - Channel [V]2
- Channel 805 - MAX (formerly known as musicMAX)
- Channel 808 - MTV
- Channel 810 - VH1
- Channel 815 - Country Music Channel
- Channel 830 - AUSTAR Interactive Radio (34 Channels)
Speciality
- Channel 941 - Antenna Pacific (Greek)
- Channel 942 - RAI International (Italian)
Austar/Unwired Alliance
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[10].
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 [11]
- November 2006 - Service launched in Tamworth, New South Wales [12]
- End 2007 - Further 24 markets
Notes
- ^ Austar Homepage and Logo (accessed 2007-09-06)
- ^ AUSTAR United - About Us - Our Services (accessed 2007-09-06)
- ^ Austar United Website: http://www.austarunited.com.au/aboutus/ownership.asp
- ^ XYZnetworks Website: http://www.xyznetworks.com.au/xyznetworks/About.aspx
- ^ Austar United 2005 Annual Report
- ^ Austar United 2005 Annual Report
- ^ Austar United 2005 Annual Report
- ^ http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/austar-tunes-in-with-earnings-lift/2007/04/18/1176696914501.html
- ^ http://www.if.com.au/PR/View.aspx?newsid=341
- ^ Austar United Press Release: http://www.austarunited.com.au/pdf/06-03-29%20AUSTAR%20_%20Soul%20partner%20for%20regional%20b'dband%20network.pdf
- ^ Austar United Press Release: http://www.austarunited.com.au/pdf/06-06-08%20AUSTAR%20Broadband%20launch%20release%20-%20final.pdf
- ^ Austar United Press Release: http://www.austarunited.com.au/pdf/06-11-28%20AUSTAR%20broadband%20arrives%20in%20Tamworth.pdf
External links
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