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.

    • Windsor challenges Gillard on NBN price tag

    Windsor challenges Gillard on NBN price tag

    Independents want NBN costs broken down into bite-sized pieces.
    Matthew Sadler Aug 25 2010 4:22PM Telco/ISP
    Analysis: Did the NBN rollout plan win seats?

    Analysis: Did the NBN rollout plan win seats?

    Yes in Tassie, a resounding no on the mainland.
    Brett Winterford Aug 23 2010 2:06PM Networking
    Election outcome to favour bush broadband

    Election outcome to favour bush broadband

    Independents are NBN believers.
    Brett Winterford Aug 22 2010 4:28PM Networking
    iiNet brings terabyte broadband plan to NBN

    iiNet brings terabyte broadband plan to NBN

    Temporary speed boost to 100 Mbps.
    Ry Crozier Aug 20 2010 3:19PM Telco/ISP
    AAPT to push ahead with fibre network upgrade

    AAPT to push ahead with fibre network upgrade

    Prepares for the "NBN world".
    Ry Crozier Aug 20 2010 11:36AM Telco/ISP
    IIA throws support behind NBN

    IIA throws support behind NBN

    Weighs in on “Broadband Election”.
    Liz Tay Aug 19 2010 3:41PM Telco/ISP
    Democrats leave IT policy to the wire

    Democrats leave IT policy to the wire

    No time for more than a brief outline.
    Ry Crozier Aug 19 2010 12:20PM Telco/ISP
    Tasmanian NBN 10 percent under budget: Conroy

    Tasmanian NBN 10 percent under budget: Conroy

    Comms Ministers duke it out in TV debate.
    Ry Crozier Aug 19 2010 7:26AM Telco/ISP
    Quigley's big stand: the full speech

    Quigley's big stand: the full speech

    Quigley wins over the true believers.
    Staff Writers Aug 18 2010 2:21PM Telco/ISP
    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

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