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.

    • ACS awards Quigley after internal stoush

    ACS awards Quigley after internal stoush

    Board members concerned about political implications.
    Brett Winterford Aug 18 2010 11:05AM Networking
    Gillard promises video doctors with NBN

    Gillard promises video doctors with NBN

    GP after-hours helpline to launch in July 2012.
    Liz Tay Aug 17 2010 10:33AM Strategy
    iiNet shrugs off copyright court costs, NBN uncertainty

    iiNet shrugs off copyright court costs, NBN uncertainty

    Free TV and unmetered services path to growth, says Malone.
    Angus Kidman Aug 16 2010 5:09PM Telco/ISP
    Report: Where to find the NBN's missing billions

    Report: Where to find the NBN's missing billions

    Parliamentary Library does the numbers on Labor's NBN funding.
    Brett Winterford Aug 16 2010 3:48PM Financial Services
    Business leaders unimpressed by Coalition broadband plans

    Business leaders unimpressed by Coalition broadband plans

    TCNZ, Bank Of Queensland want higher speeds.
    Angus Kidman Aug 12 2010 11:46AM Networking
    NBN Co tests fibre network to 1 Gbps

    NBN Co tests fibre network to 1 Gbps

    ALP buoyed by NBN Co announcement.
    Brett Winterford Aug 12 2010 11:04AM Networking
    Election10: How to choose Australia's next broadband network

    Election10: How to choose Australia's next broadband network

    We compare the broadband policies of the major parties.
    Brett Winterford Aug 11 2010 2:07PM Networking
    Costings: Only $150m on backhaul in Coalition's first term

    Costings: Only $150m on backhaul in Coalition's first term

    Will deliver at "snail's pace", says Conroy.
    Ry Crozier Aug 10 2010 4:47PM Networking
    Coalition hedges fast broadband bet on IT evolution

    Coalition hedges fast broadband bet on IT evolution

    Together with quarantined spectrum.
    Ry Crozier Aug 10 2010 2:30PM Telco/ISP
    ICT Leaders Debate: Live Chat

    ICT Leaders Debate: Live Chat

    Chat live with iTnews journalists on ICT Leaders Debate.
    Staff Writers Aug 10 2010 12:56PM Strategy
    Coalition NBN to "optimise" and lease Telstra network

    Coalition NBN to "optimise" and lease Telstra network

    Market to decide whether you get 100 Mbps.
    Ry Crozier Aug 10 2010 12:03PM Telco/ISP
    ISPs throw cold water on Conroy's 'uncapped' NBN

    ISPs throw cold water on Conroy's 'uncapped' NBN

    Fears 'uncapped' could become the new 'unlimited'.
    Mahesh Sharma Aug 3 2010 10:34AM Telco/ISP
    Family First demands free university with NBN

    Family First demands free university with NBN

    To justify $43 billion spend.
    Liz Tay Aug 2 2010 1:22PM Telco/ISP
    Basslink throws weight behind NBN Tasmania

    Basslink throws weight behind NBN Tasmania

    Touts new POPs among expansion plans.
    Ry Crozier Aug 2 2010 6:00AM Telco/ISP
    NBN coverage maps reveal 93 percent fibre footprint

    NBN coverage maps reveal 93 percent fibre footprint

    Accepts implementation study recommendation.
    Liz Tay Jul 30 2010 2:11PM Telco/ISP
    Google hosts election debate

    Google hosts election debate

    Lundy, Fletcher and Ludlam face off on tech policies.
    Liz Tay Jul 28 2010 2:24PM Financial Services
    Australia scores a C on Akamai broadband report card

    Australia scores a C on Akamai broadband report card

    Shows improvement but needs to apply itself to the NBN.
    Nate Cochrane Jul 28 2010 11:27AM Networking
    Vocus eyes layer 3 service on NBN

    Vocus eyes layer 3 service on NBN

    Builds on IP transit base.
    Ry Crozier Jul 27 2010 12:31PM Telco/ISP
    Australia Post targets digital economy

    Australia Post targets digital economy

    Strives to keep from being a ‘burden to the taxpayer’.
    Liz Tay Jul 27 2010 6:49AM Strategy
    Top 10 policy ideas from IIA's Digital Economy Paper

    Top 10 policy ideas from IIA's Digital Economy Paper

    Comment: A concise guide.
    Brett Winterford Jul 26 2010 7:02PM Strategy

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