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.

    • Vic Govt plans $33m NICTA injection

    Vic Govt plans $33m NICTA injection

    Also wants one million premises on NBN by 2015.
    Ry Crozier Oct 13 2010 3:32PM Strategy
    Townsville NBN designer surveys sites with iPhone app

    Townsville NBN designer surveys sites with iPhone app

    Why a "desktop design" won't cut it.
    Ry Crozier Oct 12 2010 1:59PM Telco/ISP
    Tasmania to ask residents to "opt-out" of NBN

    Tasmania to ask residents to "opt-out" of NBN

    Plans to introduce new laws.
    Staff Writers Oct 7 2010 3:44PM Telco/ISP
    Business leaders unite to defy Canberra's bullies

    Business leaders unite to defy Canberra's bullies

    Ready to speak out over NBN, tax reform and carbon tax.
    Brett Winterford Oct 6 2010 4:10PM Financial Services
    Optus-NBN deal would make 'total sense', says Budde

    Optus-NBN deal would make 'total sense', says Budde

    NBN Co thirsts for customers and engineering skills.
    Ry Crozier Oct 6 2010 2:15PM Telco/ISP
    Opinion: Why NBN cost-benefit analysis is essential

    Opinion: Why NBN cost-benefit analysis is essential

    Shadow Comms Minister Malcolm Turnbull opines on NBN costs.
    Malcolm Turnbull Oct 6 2010 11:30AM Telco/ISP
    Turnbull backtracks on NBN demolition

    Turnbull backtracks on NBN demolition

    Tries to poke holes in justification instead.
    Ry Crozier Sep 30 2010 11:29AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra pushes back NBN deal approval dates

    Telstra pushes back NBN deal approval dates

    Blames Government formation and legislation timeline.
    Ry Crozier Sep 29 2010 11:51AM Telco/ISP
    Gungahlin residents offered time with NBN Co

    Gungahlin residents offered time with NBN Co

    Broadband blackspot in line for fibre.
    Ry Crozier Sep 28 2010 2:13PM Telco/ISP
    Turnbull lays out case for NBN cost-benefit

    Turnbull lays out case for NBN cost-benefit

    Opposition communications spokesman to meet NBN Co CEO, debate Conroy.
    Nate Cochrane Sep 24 2010 8:28PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra trials retail broadband on Tassie NBN

    Telstra trials retail broadband on Tassie NBN

    Free fibre services for 100 existing Telstra customers.
    Ry Crozier Sep 21 2010 1:53PM Telco/ISP
    Coalition promises "refined" broadband policy

    Coalition promises "refined" broadband policy

    Christopher Pyne says it's a long way to the next election.
    Staff Writers Sep 20 2010 10:54AM Telco/ISP
    NBN must avoid becoming 'failed state'

    NBN must avoid becoming 'failed state'

    Arbor Networks urges NBN Co to build a network that is secure by design.
    Ry Crozier Sep 17 2010 1:52PM Security
    NBN Co builds for video, sharing

    NBN Co builds for video, sharing

    Retail service providers to approach customers with confidence for first time.
    Nate Cochrane Sep 16 2010 4:12PM Telco/ISP
    Austrade organises Asian broadband tour

    Austrade organises Asian broadband tour

    Industry invited for ‘Digital Economy and Broadband Applications Mission’.
    Liz Tay Sep 16 2010 11:15AM Strategy
    Abbott: Telstra "bought, not convinced" on NBN

    Abbott: Telstra "bought, not convinced" on NBN

    Hopes to change independents' minds.
    Ry Crozier Sep 15 2010 11:03AM Telco/ISP
    Turnbull blasts NBN waste, internet filter

    Turnbull blasts NBN waste, internet filter

    Shadow comms minister predicts "massive destruction of wealth".
    Ry Crozier Sep 14 2010 5:51PM Telco/ISP
    Turnbull attacks rejigged NBN

    Turnbull attacks rejigged NBN

    Bad news for internet users in outer suburbs.
    Ry Crozier Sep 14 2010 5:18PM Telco/ISP
    Turnbull nabs communications portfolio

    Turnbull nabs communications portfolio

    Tony Smith shown the door.
    Ry Crozier Sep 14 2010 3:56PM Telco/ISP
    Optus white lists cable-compatible security devices

    Optus white lists cable-compatible security devices

    Nine to 12-month turnaround for HFC-compliant alarm firmware.
    Nate Cochrane Sep 14 2010 6:12AM Security

    Log In

      |  Forgot your password?