By Kat Wong and Tess Ikonomou in Canberra

Giving more Australians access to faster internet through the National Broadband Network will help tackle issues posed by Elon Musk’s Starlink service.

Australians living in areas without reliable internet connection are increasingly turning to the Starlink satellite internet service.

But a regional telecommunications review released in December has found systems such as Starlink are owned by foreign companies, which raises questions about data security and sovereign risks.

It is part of the reason it is so important for the government to expand its Australian-owned NBN, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said.

“(Starlink) is a risk in areas where there is no credible substitute,” she told ABC radio on Tuesday.

This is particularly prevalent in areas where internet is provided through the slower, copper network, rather than fibre.

“Fibre continues to be the standard when it comes to capability, to speeds but also in terms of long-term reliability,” she said.

“It is impervious compared to other forms of technology.

“We want to make sure that Australians continue to have access to reliable, affordable broadband.”

A $3 billion boost to complete work on the National Broadband Network, will upgrade the service to about 620,000 homes and businesses, with more than half located in regional areas.

NBN Co, the commonwealth company responsible for the network, will also spend $800 million on the works expected to be completed at the end of 2030.

Analyst Paul Budde said without high-quality broadband, regional areas would be damaged enormously.

“The key reason for having an NBN is the national importance,” he told AAP.

“It supports our society, healthcare, education, communication … it’s critical for the economy.

“We now have a digital economy so without proper digital infrastructure, you can’t run a digital economy.”

An upgrade would also provide access to education and health services, helping people stay in regional and rural communities, he added.

The federal government is aiming to pass laws to keep the NBN in public hands, as parliament resumes in February.

Mr Budde said privatisation of the network should not be considered as the telecommunications market was under pressure.

“All telcos are suffering,” he said.

“It’s the big digital companies that are making the big profits. They’re all using the infrastructure, but they’re not paying for it.