Election 2013: Broadband Election 2013: Broadband

Of all the election issues watched by the tech sector, the national broadband network has enlivened the most debate.

The Coalition released its broadband policy ahead of many of its other policies, promising to deliver a fibre-to-the-node network for 25 percent less than Labor’s $44.1 billion fibre-to-the-home network.

Here’s how the policies stack up:

Labor

  • $44.1 billion fibre to the home network (to be delivered by June 2021), with 97 percent fibre coverage and the remainder a mix of satellite and fixed wireless.
  • Network to deliver download speeds of up to 1 Gbps and upload speeds of 400 Mbps, depending on the plan purchased.
  • Wholesale pricing structure fixed, with NBN Co remaining the monopoly provider.
  • Wholesale price capped at $24 per month for 12 Mbps download/1 Mbps upload speed, frozen for five years, and subsequent increases limited to less than the price of inflation.

    • Coalition

  • $29.5 billion mostly fibre-to-the-node premises (to be delivered by June 2015), with 71 percent FTTN and 22 percent FTTP on greenfields sites, and the remainder a mix of satellite and fixed wireless.
  • Network to deliver download speeds of up to 50 Mbps for the FTTN connections and 1 Gbps for FTTP connections. Upload speeds for FTTN connections of up to 10 Mbps and 400 Mbps for FTTP connections.
  • Wholesale pricing structure capped by the ACCC, with competing broadband access networks allowed.
  • Wholesale price forecast to be $38 per month in 2021, with a user pays policy for those wishing to connect the ‘last mile’ to their home with fibre.

    • Greens

  • Support Labor’s NBN policy.
  • Amended policy to ensure any future moves to privatise the NBN would be subject to a review to protect the public interest, requiring the approval of Parliament.

    • NBN Co to "rationalise" some access technologies entirely

    NBN Co to "rationalise" some access technologies entirely

    A few weeks' wait to find out which.
    Ry Crozier Jul 3 2025 6:29AM Telco/ISP
    Trouble anticipated as NBN Co's new high speeds come online

    Trouble anticipated as NBN Co's new high speeds come online

    Speed claims and CPE limitations. 
    Ry Crozier May 1 2025 6:14AM Telco/ISP
    Australia's broadband baseline tipped to move from 25Mbps to 100Mbps

    Australia's broadband baseline tipped to move from 25Mbps to 100Mbps

    Could drive new rounds of network investments.
    Ry Crozier Apr 9 2025 6:23PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co planning new triggers to fast-track premises to fibre

    NBN Co planning new triggers to fast-track premises to fibre

    Including when copper is damaged, or on house moves.
    Ry Crozier Feb 21 2025 6:12AM Telco/ISP
    ACCAN presses NBN Co to make 50Mbps its basic tier

    ACCAN presses NBN Co to make 50Mbps its basic tier

    Calling time on 25/5Mbps.
    Ry Crozier Feb 18 2025 6:06AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co's fibre upgrades reach record high

    NBN Co's fibre upgrades reach record high

    Awareness and network progress drive opportunity.
    Ry Crozier Feb 12 2025 12:37PM Telco/ISP
    Gov to give NBN Co up to $3bn to complete FTTN overbuild

    Gov to give NBN Co up to $3bn to complete FTTN overbuild

    But upgrade path uncertain for some premises.
    Eleanor Dickinson Jan 14 2025 8:23AM Telco/ISP
    ISP Flip shifts to Swoop infrastructure

    ISP Flip shifts to Swoop infrastructure

    Migration underway.
    Kate Weber Jan 6 2025 5:10PM Telco/ISP
    NBN ownership is a national security issue, union says

    NBN ownership is a national security issue, union says

    Prospect of privatisation poses risks.
    Ry Crozier Dec 23 2024 6:22AM Security
    NBN Co fibre lead-in costs 27-29 percent higher than forecast

    NBN Co fibre lead-in costs 27-29 percent higher than forecast

    Actual dollar figure redacted.
    Ry Crozier Dec 20 2024 6:15AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co wants simpler device setup to connect to its network

    NBN Co wants simpler device setup to connect to its network

    Opens talks with retailers and end users.
    Ry Crozier Nov 21 2024 5:30AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co expects over half a million fibre upgraders a year from FY27

    NBN Co expects over half a million fibre upgraders a year from FY27

    As new regulatory forecast sets targets.
    Ry Crozier Nov 21 2024 4:45AM Telco/ISP
    Leaptel signs $4.5m backhaul deal with Superloop

    Leaptel signs $4.5m backhaul deal with Superloop

    Migration to begin next month.
    Ry Crozier Oct 10 2024 6:55AM Telco/ISP
    Gov's NBN sale block bill opens door to affordability, exec pay questions

    Gov's NBN sale block bill opens door to affordability, exec pay questions

    Senate inquiry to be sought.
    Ry Crozier Oct 9 2024 4:42PM Telco/ISP
    Gov introduces bill to prevent NBN Co from being sold

    Gov introduces bill to prevent NBN Co from being sold

    Says upgrades and affordability are key reasons to act.
    Ry Crozier Oct 9 2024 6:58AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co picks September 2025 for higher-tier plan changes

    NBN Co picks September 2025 for higher-tier plan changes

    After six months of consultation with retail service providers.
    Ry Crozier Sep 5 2024 3:36PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co says it upgraded 10,000 customers to fibre in a single week

    NBN Co says it upgraded 10,000 customers to fibre in a single week

    Take-up and demand "well within" expectations.
    Ry Crozier Aug 13 2024 12:08PM Telco/ISP
    ACCC shifts support for broadband tax on 4G and 5G fixed wireless

    ACCC shifts support for broadband tax on 4G and 5G fixed wireless

    After years of rebuffing lobbying efforts.
    Ry Crozier Jul 30 2024 6:26AM Telco/ISP
    TfNSW to become largest user of NBN non-premises fibre

    TfNSW to become largest user of NBN non-premises fibre

    Connecting traffic lights and CCTV cameras.
    Eleanor Dickinson Jun 4 2024 3:43PM Telco/ISP

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