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.

    • Tight controls on NBN implementation study release

    Tight controls on NBN implementation study release

    Phones, cameras, laptop dongles and recording devices banned.
    Staff Writers May 6 2010 10:43AM Telco/ISP
    Analysis: Council NBN testers raise the cost of rushing

    Analysis: Council NBN testers raise the cost of rushing

    Fast phase one rollout adds up.
    Ry Crozier Apr 30 2010 6:00AM Telco/ISP
    Government savages Liberal plans to scrap the NBN

    Government savages Liberal plans to scrap the NBN

    Abbott says NBN is "first to go" if Coalition returns to office.
    Stuart Finlayson Apr 29 2010 12:03PM Telco/ISP
    Greens: Don't sell or strangle the NBN

    Greens: Don't sell or strangle the NBN

    Election cycle impacts on telco debate.
    Ry Crozier Apr 21 2010 1:21PM Telco/ISP
    Government urged to invest in copyright registry

    Government urged to invest in copyright registry

    Academic calls for a "National Content Network" alongside the NBN.
    Tanya Hall Apr 21 2010 11:35AM Software
    Coalition pledges to upgrade old networks

    Coalition pledges to upgrade old networks

    Intermediate step but "not the end game".
    Ry Crozier Apr 21 2010 9:52AM Telco/ISP
    NBN investment should be split up, says Pipe

    NBN investment should be split up, says Pipe

    Roll out regionally for social benefits, not commercial returns.
    Ry Crozier Apr 20 2010 2:36PM Telco/ISP
    Conroy touts benefits of releasing NBN study

    Conroy touts benefits of releasing NBN study

    ... without releasing it.
    Ry Crozier Apr 20 2010 1:21PM Telco/ISP
    Quigley: Why an all-wireless NBN is pointless

    Quigley: Why an all-wireless NBN is pointless

    Commercial return a hot topic.
    Ry Crozier Apr 20 2010 12:13PM Telco/ISP
    NBN can't shake layer three concerns

    NBN can't shake layer three concerns

    Dominates the Senate Committee proceedings.
    Ry Crozier Apr 15 2010 1:06PM Networking
    Fibre mandate will attract cowboys: Budde

    Fibre mandate will attract cowboys: Budde

    Potential to replicate failed home insulation scheme.
    Ry Crozier Apr 13 2010 11:28AM Telco/ISP
    NBN a double-standard for new home buyers

    NBN a double-standard for new home buyers

    Renewed calls for NBN Co to jump into new housing estates.
    Ry Crozier Apr 8 2010 3:50PM Telco/ISP
    Storm erupts over Coalition's NBN policy preview

    Storm erupts over Coalition's NBN policy preview

    As NBN Co presses ahead with fibre tests.
    Ry Crozier Mar 31 2010 11:33AM Telco/ISP
    ISPs win clarity on NBN Co interconnect location

    ISPs win clarity on NBN Co interconnect location

    Details to be released within a fortnight.
    Ry Crozier Mar 25 2010 12:38PM Networking
    US smart grid to generate 1000 petabytes of data a year

    US smart grid to generate 1000 petabytes of data a year

    Australia’s real-time systems will require NBN solution.
    Nate Cochrane Mar 23 2010 12:03PM Networking
    ACCC bulks up on staff ahead of NBN

    ACCC bulks up on staff ahead of NBN

    Competition watchdog beefs up Communications unit.
    Natalie Apostolou Mar 23 2010 2:52AM Telco/ISP
    Ex-People Telecom CEO to head Comms Alliance

    Ex-People Telecom CEO to head Comms Alliance

    Stanton to replace Anne Hurley.
    Staff Writers Mar 22 2010 1:05PM Telco/ISP
    Exetel, Netspace press case to become Tassie NBN ISPs

    Exetel, Netspace press case to become Tassie NBN ISPs

    Push NBN Co for response.
    Ry Crozier Mar 20 2010 12:18AM Telco/ISP
    Feds arrive at $2500 to connect fibre to new homes

    Feds arrive at $2500 to connect fibre to new homes

    Greenfields legislation introduced to Parliament.
    Brett Winterford Mar 18 2010 2:13PM Networking
    Greens boil over Conroy's Senate snub

    Greens boil over Conroy's Senate snub

    Government holds onto NBN implementation study.
    Ry Crozier Mar 17 2010 3:39PM Telco/ISP

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