RURAL Australians using the national broadband network's $2 billion satellite service will get bigger download allowances and better services for remote schoolkids thanks to more use of its other networks from 2016.
About 3 per cent of homes and businesses are set to be connected to the NBN using its two dedicated satellites.
But the company imposed strict download limits on many customers to ensure internet speeds did not plummet for everyone at peak times.
On Monday NBN said these limits would be raised to 75 gigabytes per month during peak periods thanks to the increased use of the second satellite and the expansion of the company's fixed-wireless service to more remote locations.
Customers will be allowed to download an extra 75GB during non-peak periods when there is less strain on the satellite service's broadband capacity, meaning a total monthly allowance of 150GB.
NBN fixed wireless and satellite executive general manager Gavin Williams said the move was possible thanks 40,000 users being moved off satellite services and onto plans that use the company's other networks.
Satellite users of the service will still face more restrictions than their city counterparts because of the nature of the technology.
A 'fair use' policy will be deployed to stop people from downloading large amounts of data during peak times.
By comparison, NBN users on plans that use the fixed-wireless or fixed-line networks will mainly have their downloads managed at the discretion of their internet service providers.
NBN will also release a cheaper service available exclusively to students doing distance education via satellite services.
This will provide each pupil with a 50GB per month allowance on top of the household's existing services with fewer restrictions.
Up to three students will be allowed to apply from each home, which means families will be able to get up to 150GB more data each month on top of their existing plans.
Australians in regional areas have largely been forced to use the NBN's interim satellite solution, which leases capacity off existing satellites.
The service was flooded by customers, leading to slow download speeds and low data caps that have sparked complaints. NBN has said the services will come online from mid-2016.
