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.

    • Telstra Wholesale partners charmed by NBN deal

    Telstra Wholesale partners charmed by NBN deal

    Deal worth "millions".
    Negar Salek Jun 22 2010 6:58AM Telco/ISP
    Opinion: A real test of Telstra's marketing muscle

    Opinion: A real test of Telstra's marketing muscle

    Can Telstra sell its customers and win them back again?
    Brett Winterford Jun 21 2010 3:17PM Telco/ISP
    Coalition vows to scrap $11bn NBN Co-Telstra deal

    Coalition vows to scrap $11bn NBN Co-Telstra deal

    Industry welcomes agreement.
    Ry Crozier Jun 21 2010 8:04AM Telco/ISP
    NBN committee pushes for cost-benefit analysis

    NBN committee pushes for cost-benefit analysis

    But Government makes no cost-benefit commitments.
    Liz Tay Jun 17 2010 7:44PM Telco/ISP
    Conroy touts 50 percent uptake for NBN pilot

    Conroy touts 50 percent uptake for NBN pilot

    Tasmanian fibre services to launch shortly.
    Liz Tay Jun 15 2010 4:12PM Networking
    Austrade claims fifth largest ICT industry in Asia

    Austrade claims fifth largest ICT industry in Asia

    Agency boasts of a “burgeoning” industry.
    Staff Writers Jun 15 2010 2:43PM Strategy
    Internode undercuts iiNet, Primus on Tassie fibre plans

    Internode undercuts iiNet, Primus on Tassie fibre plans

    Prices start at $29.95 per month.
    Mahesh Sharma Jun 8 2010 10:43AM Telco/ISP
    NBN phone service to support legacy devices

    NBN phone service to support legacy devices

    Comms Alliance releases discussion paper for NBN telephony.
    Juha Saarinen Jun 7 2010 1:20PM Telco/ISP
    Do cost-benefit doubts strengthen NBN argument?

    Do cost-benefit doubts strengthen NBN argument?

    If companies won’t do it, Government may have to.
    Liz Tay Jun 4 2010 1:34PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co puts greenfields on roadmap

    NBN Co puts greenfields on roadmap

    Business plan to be developed.
    Ry Crozier May 28 2010 2:07PM Telco/ISP
    Future Fund: Telstra shares can't go much lower

    Future Fund: Telstra shares can't go much lower

    Hit for six in an uncertain market.
    Ry Crozier May 26 2010 5:02PM Financial Services
    NBN $2 billion equity source under question

    NBN $2 billion equity source under question

    Hole in funding allocation for next-generation network.
    Ry Crozier May 26 2010 4:49PM Financial Services
    Google audits systems in wake of wardriving scandal

    Google audits systems in wake of wardriving scandal

    High-definition Street View update on hold.
    Nate Cochrane May 25 2010 3:37PM Software
    Jim Hassell joins NBN Co

    Jim Hassell joins NBN Co

    Product development and sales role.
    Staff Writers May 24 2010 6:47PM Telco/ISP
    NSW mulls fibre for public housing

    NSW mulls fibre for public housing

    Multi-dwelling units in the spotlight.
    Ry Crozier May 24 2010 2:13PM Telco/ISP
    Vic Govt report: Huge, unsated appetite for fast broadband

    Vic Govt report: Huge, unsated appetite for fast broadband

    Access report finds 220,000 Victorians want speeds of over 50 Mbps.
    Ry Crozier May 24 2010 1:15PM Telco/ISP
    Greens, carriers, question NBN privatisation

    Greens, carriers, question NBN privatisation

    Recommend safeguards be established.
    Staff Writers May 21 2010 2:50PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co signs up to Metro Ethernet Forum

    NBN Co signs up to Metro Ethernet Forum

    To build to international standards.
    Liz Tay May 21 2010 12:47AM Telco/ISP
    Thodey: Telstra has sold 10,000 T-Hubs

    Thodey: Telstra has sold 10,000 T-Hubs

    Thodey comments on NBN, HFC, Next G and 4G.
    Brett Winterford May 19 2010 2:37PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra must take part in 4G spectrum auction

    Telstra must take part in 4G spectrum auction

    Poised to call Government bluff.
    Tanya Hall May 19 2010 10:54AM Telco/ISP

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