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.

    • Govt seeks tender for national training network

    Govt seeks tender for national training network

    Three-year contract up for grabs.
    Liz Tay Feb 19 2010 2:22PM Networking
    Australia an OECD ‘role model’

    Australia an OECD ‘role model’

    Infrastucture competition noted as challenge.
    Liz Tay Feb 19 2010 6:54AM Strategy
    Photos: Rolling out fibre in Australia's backbone blackspots

    Photos: Rolling out fibre in Australia's backbone blackspots

    Regional Backbone Blackspot Program kicks off.
    Staff Writers Feb 18 2010 10:09AM Telco/ISP
    Analysis: Quigley's balancing act

    Analysis: Quigley's balancing act

    Should the NBN favour existing ISPs and telcos or new market entrants?
    Brett Winterford Feb 17 2010 4:45PM Telco/ISP
    UTS to launch online law centre

    UTS to launch online law centre

    Centre to intervene 'in the public interest'.
    Liz Tay Feb 16 2010 12:02AM Strategy
    Telstra takes its time on NBN Co negotiations

    Telstra takes its time on NBN Co negotiations

    Not feeling the pressure.
    Ry Crozier Feb 11 2010 10:57AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co seeks procurement managers

    NBN Co seeks procurement managers

    Four positions up for grabs.
    Liz Tay Feb 11 2010 6:44AM Networking
    Failed NBN RFP tripped up by time pressures

    Failed NBN RFP tripped up by time pressures

    Over $30 million wasted on all sides.
    Ry Crozier Feb 3 2010 10:52PM Telco/ISP
    Conroy's NBN data safe from independent review

    Conroy's NBN data safe from independent review

    Opposition accused of toeing the line in Senate Inquiry.
    Ry Crozier Feb 3 2010 1:05PM Telco/ISP
    Tasmanian Govt uses NBN to attract data centres

    Tasmanian Govt uses NBN to attract data centres

    Developing strategy to lure investors and builders.
    Staff Writers Jan 19 2010 2:36PM Networking
    Nextgen to use Alcatel kit in $250m blackspot project

    Nextgen to use Alcatel kit in $250m blackspot project

    Works through Christmas on planning.
    Ry Crozier Jan 14 2010 1:40PM Telco/ISP
    NBN tenders are not secret: Conroy

    NBN tenders are not secret: Conroy

    Conroy denies 'secret' NBN tenders.
    Ben Grubb Dec 29 2009 8:37AM Telco/ISP
    Video: What will define 2010?

    Video: What will define 2010?

    IT industry leaders ponder what 2010 will have in store.
    Brett Winterford Dec 25 2009 9:54AM Strategy
    NBN Co adds more McKinsey alumni to board

    NBN Co adds more McKinsey alumni to board

    Three out of seven directors all hail from McKinsey and Co.
    Brett Winterford Dec 23 2009 1:11PM Telco/ISP
    UPDATE: Conroy releases draft laws for greenfield fibre rollouts

    UPDATE: Conroy releases draft laws for greenfield fibre rollouts

    Amongst a mass of pre-Christmas announcements.
    Brett Winterford Dec 23 2009 12:37PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to host a national product roadshow

    NBN Co to host a national product roadshow

    Kicks off in Sydney and Melbourne in January.
    Brett Winterford Dec 21 2009 1:36PM Telco/ISP
    Conroy to ISPs: Keep investing in DSLAMs

    Conroy to ISPs: Keep investing in DSLAMs

    Copper not extinct just yet.
    Ben Grubb Dec 21 2009 8:30AM Telco/ISP
    Filter pilot did not test high-speed internet

    Filter pilot did not test high-speed internet

    Will an ISP filter work in an NBN-connected world?
    Ben Grubb Dec 16 2009 1:23PM Telco/ISP
    NSW Education to trump Microsoft on Windows 7 use

    NSW Education to trump Microsoft on Windows 7 use

    Unboxing up to 2,800 Windows 7 devices a day.
    Ry Crozier Dec 11 2009 3:02PM Hardware
    Conroy, Rudd and Quigley feel the broadband Crunch

    Conroy, Rudd and Quigley feel the broadband Crunch

    Almost live from the Broadband Future forum in Sydney.
    Ben Grubb , Munir Kotadia Dec 11 2009 11:49AM Telco/ISP

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