New South Wales · Postcode 2581 · Satellite network
NBN & Internet in Merrill, NSW 2581
Merrill is in a remote part of NSW with 18 premises connected via NBN Satellite (Sky Muster). Satellite internet enables basic access for email, browsing, and low-resolution streaming, but high latency makes real-time applications like gaming and video calls challenging. Starlink may be worth considering as an alternative.
Typical evening download speeds on Satellite in Merrill range from 12-25 Mbps, based on national ACCC broadband performance benchmarks. Satellite latency is typically 600ms+, making real-time applications challenging regardless of download speed. 118.2% of Merrill's 11 households had an internet connection as of the 2021 Census.
Merrill has not yet been announced for the NBN FTTP upgrade program. Currently 0% of premises have fibre. NBN Co is progressively rolling out upgrades across Australia.
Merrill is neck and neck with Dalton for the best internet in the area — both offer strong connectivity. Biala trails with 0% FTTP. Either of the top options would serve most households well.
Limited — Merrill has 18 premises on Satellite. Basic access only. Starlink may be a better option.
Est. $49–$60/mo for a family (NBN 25)
Score based on technology type, fibre coverage, upgrade status, and connectivity data. Scale: 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent).
The data above shows suburb-wide averages. Your specific address may have different technology or speeds.
NBN Technology Mix
| Technology | Share |
|---|---|
| Unassigned (NULL) | 33.3% |
| Satellite (SATELLITE) | 66.7% |
Speed Expectations by Technology
| Technology | Typical Speed | Max Available |
|---|---|---|
| NULL (33.3%) | Data not available | |
| SATELLITE (66.7%) | 20 Mbps | 25 Mbps |
Speed estimates based on national ACCC broadband performance benchmarks, not suburb-specific measurements. Actual speeds depend on your plan, provider, and connection quality.
What Can I Do on This Connection?
Satellite across Merrill's 18 premises (66.7%) has high latency making cloud apps and video calls challenging with 118.2% of households online
With Satellite in Merrill (18 premises), basic SD streaming is possible but HD and 4K are not practical
Satellite across Merrill's 18 premises has very high latency making real-time gaming impractical
As a smaller suburb on Satellite, Merrill's limited bandwidth is best suited for a single device
Satellite in Merrill (66.7% of 18 premises) has high latency causing noticeable delay, calls frequently drop
Recommended NBN Plans
With Merrill's Satellite connection, a single user gets reliable speeds at $49-60/mo (Satellite caps at NBN 25)
For a couple in Merrill, NBN 25 at $49-60/mo handles streaming and working from home on Satellite (Satellite caps at NBN 25)
NBN 25 at $49-60/mo keeps Merrill families connected across 4+ devices on Satellite (Satellite caps at NBN 25)
Power users in Merrill can push Satellite to its limits with NBN 25 at $49-60/mo (Satellite caps at NBN 25)
Satellite in Merrill is limited to NBN 25. Starlink ($139/mo) may be a better option. Prices are estimates based on typical Australian NBN plans (AUD, March 2026). Actual costs vary by provider.
FTTP Upgrade Status
Merrill has not yet been announced for the NBN FTTP upgrade program.
NBN Co is progressively rolling out fibre upgrades across Australia. Currently 0% of premises in Merrill are on fibre-capable infrastructure. Check the NBN rollout map for the latest updates.
Which suburbs are announced? Open the FTTP upgrade map →What Can You Do?
NBN Satellite is limited to 25 Mbps with high latency. Starlink is available across Australia and typically offers 50-200 Mbps with lower latency — it may be a significant upgrade for Merrill residents. Hardware costs ~$599 upfront.
Household Internet Statistics
Household internet data from ABS Census 2016. Actual current connectivity rates may differ.
Compare Nearby Suburbs
| Suburb | Tech Type | FTTP % | Score | Speed Range | Upgrade? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biala, NSW | Satellite | 0% | 1.5 D | 12-25 Mbps | No |
| Dalton, NSW | 0% | 2.5 D | No | ||
| Gunning, NSW | 0% | 2.5 D | No | ||
| Cullerin, NSW | 0% | 2.5 D | No |
Best Providers for Satellite in Merrill
Satellite speeds in Merrill are capped — compare providers serving 18 premises to find the best value on Satellite.
Satellite broadband specialist with years of Sky Muster experience. Offers flexible data plans tailored to remote usage patterns. In Merrill with 18 Satellite premises, this means consistent value for local households.
View SkyMesh plans →Also Recommended
Established regional ISP offering competitive Sky Muster plans with data top-up flexibility. Good option for remote households watching costs. In Merrill with 18 Satellite premises, this means consistent value for local households.
View Activ8me plans →
Best satellite NBN provider with dedicated regional support team. They understand the unique challenges of Sky Muster connections. In Merrill with 18 Satellite premises, this means consistent value for local households.
View Aussie Broadband plans →See all 8 providers in Merrill
Dedicated satellite broadband provider with their own Thaicom satellite infrastructure. An alternative to Sky Muster for very remote locations. In Merrill with 18 Satellite premises, this means consistent value for local households.
View IPSTAR plans →
Reliable Sky Muster provider with 4G backup — critical for remote properties where satellite latency and weather outages are common. In Merrill with 18 Satellite premises, this means consistent value for local households.
View Telstra plans →
Community-owned telco with strong rural credentials. Their Sky Muster plans come with knowledgeable Australian-based support for remote areas. In Merrill with 18 Satellite premises, this means consistent value for local households.
View Southern Phone plans →
Low-Earth orbit satellite delivers 50-200 Mbps with dramatically lower latency than Sky Muster. Best upgrade path for remote properties. In Merrill with 18 Satellite premises, this means consistent value for local households.
View Starlink plans →
Budget satellite option with straightforward plans. No-frills approach works well for remote households watching their monthly spend. In Merrill with 18 Satellite premises, this means consistent value for local households.
View TPG plans →Rankings based on technology compatibility and value for Merrill. PickNBN may earn a commission if you sign up through our links.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What NBN technology type does Merrill, NSW have?
The primary NBN technology in Merrill is Satellite, serving the majority of 18 connected premises. The full technology mix is: Satellite (66.7%).
- What internet speeds can I get in Merrill, NSW?
Homes in Merrill on Satellite can expect typical evening download speeds of 12-25 Mbps based on ACCC benchmarks.
- Is Merrill, NSW getting an FTTP upgrade?
As of the latest data, Merrill has not been announced for the NBN FTTP upgrade. Currently 0% of premises have FTTP.
- How many households have internet in Merrill, NSW?
According to the 2021 Census, 118.2% of 11 households in Merrill had internet — roughly 13 households online.
- Why is internet slow in Merrill, NSW?
Internet in Merrill is primarily limited by the inherent latency of satellite connections. The dominant technology is Satellite, which has known speed limitations.
- Is Merrill better than Dalton for internet?
No — Dalton scores 2.5/10, ahead of Merrill at 2.0/10. Check your specific address for the most accurate picture.
- Can I get Starlink in Merrill, NSW?
Starlink is available across most of Australia including Merrill. It may offer faster speeds than the current Satellite connection, with typical downloads of 50-200 Mbps. Hardware costs ~$599 + ~$139/month.
- What is the cheapest decent plan for Merrill?
On Satellite in Merrill, an NBN 25 plan at $49-60/month covers basic browsing and streaming for 1-2 people. If you need more speed, NBN 50 at $55-70/month is the sweet spot for most households.
About this data
PickNBN compiles data from official Australian government sources to give you an independent picture of internet quality in every suburb. We are not affiliated with any internet provider or NBN Co.
- NBN technology data — per-premises technology type from NBN Co records (via nbn-upgrade-map, MIT licence)
- Speed estimates — national benchmarks from the ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia program. Not suburb-specific measurements.
- Household internet stats — ABS Census 2016 at the suburb level (SSC geography)
- FTTP upgrades — NBN Co's announced fibre upgrade suburbs
Best Internet Near Merrill
Looking for the fastest internet in the area? These nearby suburbs score highest.