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Q1 : Can I receive
Aurora where I live?
Q2 : What if I am
travelling in a caravan?
Q3 : What equipment
is required to receive Aurora
services?
Q4 : What size
satellite dish is required to view
Aurora services?
Q5 : Which decoder
models do you recommend?
Q6 : How do I
obtain a smartcard?
Q7 : How do I have
my smartcard authorised?
Q8 : How long will
the smartcard last?
Q9 : Do I need to
keep the power to my decoder on at
all times?
Q10:Who
do I contact in the event of
technical difficulties?
 Answer 1: The National
Broadcasters (ABC, SBS) and Westlink
provide TV and radio services which
are available nationally, upon
authorisation of your Optus Aurora
smartcard. The Remote Commercial
Broadcasters (Imparja, Seven
Central, GWN and WIN) are restricted
to providing broadcasting services
in specific licence areas. These
remote services may be available to
you depending on your geographical
location and subject to the Remote
Commercial Broadcaster’s permission.
To see if you’re eligible to receive
these services, and to arrange
access, please contact the Remote
Commercial Broadcasters as follows:
 Imparja – 1300 301 683
Seven Central - 1800 501 063
GWN / WIN - 1300 301 681
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Answer 2: When entering or
leaving WA, you may be able to
change your access to remote
commercial services based on the
licence area you’re travelling
through. Contact the Remote
Commercial Broadcasters on the above
phone numbers to arrange for a
switch of services. Note: some
Remote Commercial Broadcasters may
allow limited time access to their
services.
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Answer 3: Satellite dish with
LNB (Low Noise Block Down
converter).
Digital satellite decoder (also
known as a set top box).
Optus Aurora smartcard.
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Answer 4: Optus recommends a
minimum dish size of 90cm. Larger
dishes may be required in some
regions, so please consult with your
local satellite equipment dealer
before proceeding. Click here to
view a map indicating recommended
Aurora dish sizes to ensure reliable
reception.
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Answer 5: Optus does not
recommend any particular Set Top Box
(STB) for use with Aurora, however
we advise end users that current
Aurora-ready STB's are available
from UEC / Nationwide and ADB/Hills
Industries. Please contact these
manufacturers / Distributors for
more information regarding your
particular STB requirement.
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Answer 6: Optus Aurora
Smartcards can usually be purchased
from any dealer or retailer of
satellite equipment. The same dealer
should also be able to sell you an
Aurora-ready STB & satellite dish.
Once authorised, there is no ongoing
subscription for viewing free-to-air
Aurora services.
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Answer 7: Call Optus on 1300 301
681 and we’ll switch on the channels
you’re entitled to receive. This can
also be done by emailing
sss@optus.com.au or by faxing 1300
555 221. Please note you’ll be
required to provide us with your
smartcard number, STB model, name,
address and phone number.
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Answer 8: Optus Aurora
smartcards have a nominal lifespan
of 5 years and come with a 12 month
warranty. If the smartcard becomes
faulty within the warranty period,
it should be returned to the
installer or vendor you purchased it
from. From there it will be returned
to Optus & replaced if within the
warranty period, providing the
smartcard has not failed due to
unauthorised use.
It is currently planned for existing
Version 1 smartcards to remain in
operation until the end of 2008. All
new smartcards provided now are
Version 4. By the end of 2008, any
Version 1 smartcards which have not
already been replaced by a Version 4
smartcard will require swap out at
that time.
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Answer 9: From time to time
Optus finds it necessary to conduct
maintenance on the satellite
network. During such a maintenance
period, any smartcard not in its
decoder may not receive satellite
updates, resulting in a possible
loss of service. For this reason, we
recommend leaving the decoder in
standby power mode, with the card
left in the decoder, whenever the
decoder is not in use.
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Answer 10: The installer or
vendor of your equipment should be
contacted to provide an initial
assessment of any problem
encountered. If you need to obtain
elevation & azimuth information in
order to repoint your dish, the
following website may assist:
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http://www.mum.com.au/satdish.html
Note: Aurora free-to-air services
are currently carried on the Optus
C1 satellite, which is located at
the 156 degrees East orbital slot.
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