Austar United Communications Limited (AUSTAR) is a leading subscription television provider in Australia, offering primarily digital satellite services to customers in regional and rural areas.

AUSTAR also offers dial-up internet and mobile telephone services. 

Established in 1995, AUSTAR's television business is the company's core business.   Since its establishment, AUSTAR's television subscriber base has grown to over 700,000 (at July 25, 2008), the largest subscription television operator in regional and rural Australia.  AUSTAR provides of subscription television services in a service area of approximately 2.4m homes, one-third of Australia's total homes, primarily using digital satellite technology.  AUSTAR also operates a digital cable network in Darwin.

AUSTAR Digital includes over 120 premier channels, a near video-on-demand service, and increased levels of interactivity, such as BOX OFFICE, Sports Active and SKY News Active. Click here to learn more about AUSTAR Digital and its channels.

AUSTAR launched MyStar, its personal digital recorder, in February 2008. With live pause, live rewind, and recording functionality for two programs while reviewing a third, MyStar also provides viewers with the opportunity to record entire series as they're aired, at the touch of a button. An Australian first, the PDR also contains two digital free-to-air tuners which enable viewers to watch their local, digital free-to-air channels seamlessly without having to purchase a separate digital set-top-box.

In September 2006, AUSTAR introduced its repackaged service, which includes an economical, basic Option called Starter Pack, for just $36.95 a month. This new service also offers a standalone sports tier, including the new FOX SPORTS 3 channel.

AUSTAR's mobile telephony business, AUSTAR Mobile, was established in 2000. Mobile services are offered to customers via reseller agreements with the OPTUS GSM and Telstra CDMA networks. At June 30 2007, AUSTAR had 30, 991mobile customers.

AUSTAR's dial-up internet service, AUSTARnet, was established in 2000. AUSTARnet outsources its network to COMindico's IP Network, and is available nationally. At June 30 2007, AUSTARnet had approximately 26, 431 internet customers.

AUSTAR's coverage area is  approximately 2.4 million homes in regional and rural Australia, as well as Darwin and Hobart.   In October 2004, AUSTAR completed the digitisation of its cable operation in Darwin, bringing AUSTAR Digital to the region

Since it began, AUSTAR has invested over $1 billion to establish its technology platforms, a state-of-the-art customer service centre and to provide innovative services to regional Australia.

AUSTAR has a 50% stake in XYZnetworks (a 50/50 joint venture with FOXTEL). XYZ is the exclusive owner and/or distributor of eleven key programming channels.

AUSTAR is also a significant investor in the development of Australian content. The company co-funded the second and third series of the Logie award winning Australian drama 'Love My Way'. AUSTAR has to date committed and invested over $5.5 million to innovative dramas including 'Fat Cow Motel' and 'Fireflies', which broadcast on ABC during 2003 and 2004 respectively.

Over 800 employees serve AUSTAR's customers.  Around 700 are based at the company's National Customer Operations Centre on the Gold Coast.  The remainder are based in AUSTAR's corporate office in Sydney, and in the Darwin office.

• AUSTAR's major programming asset is XYZnetworks (XYZ) (50% owned)
• XYZ owns and/or distributes 11 key channels, which are distributed to an audience of more than 4 million 
• XYZ creates a 50/50 profit split between AUSTAR and FOXTEL
• XYZ has exclusive long term contracts and distribution rights
• The company is profitable and cashflow positive