Established in 2000, Austarnet outsourced its network to COMindico and was available across Australia. As of 31 December 2009, Austarnet had 12,671 customers. In August 2011, Austarnet announced its exit from the Internet business and indicated that services would be discontinued on 30 September 2011. Broadband internet (Austar Broadband) Established in 2006, Austar Broadband operated as a trial network in Wagga Wagga and Tamworth, New South Wales. Austar held the 2.5 & 3.5 GHz spectrum licences in regional Australia. This spectrum is ideally suited for WiMAX. Austar/Unwired Alliance In 2005, Austar United and wireless internet provider Unwired announced a deal to swap spectrum under either company's control to allow for interoperable wireless broadband services across the country. In 2006, Austar United and Unwired together with Soul Converged Telecommunications formed AUSalliance for the purposes of obtaining funding from the Australian Government's Broadband Connect Infrastructure Program and rolling out a regional broadband network. Austar/Opel agreement In 2008, Austar entered into an agreement to sell its 2.5 & 3.5 GHz spectrum licences to the OPEL consortium (Optus & Elders) for A$65 million and enter into a wholesale agreement with Optus for the resale of products operated by the OPEL consortium. The sale was contingent on the OPEL network rollout, so was cancelled upon the cancellation of the OPEL network by the Australian Government. See also Subscription television in Australia Notes 1. References External links Austar webpage Austar Broadband Austar United webpage MyStar webpage Austarnet Closure Australian companies established in 1995 Australian companies disestablished in 2012 Direct broadcast satellite services Australian subscription television services Defunct telecommunications companies of Australia Companies based in Sydney Telecommunications companies established in 1995 Telecommunications companies disestablished in 2012 Companies formerly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange 2012 mergers and acquisitions