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.

    • NBN to generate “utility-style” returns: Conroy

    NBN to generate “utility-style” returns: Conroy

    Commercial value of the asset.
    Ry Crozier Dec 11 2009 10:40AM Telco/ISP
    Grant calls on IT industry to widen the NBN scope

    Grant calls on IT industry to widen the NBN scope

    Time to start preaching to the masses.
    Ben Grubb Dec 11 2009 9:38AM Telco/ISP
    Video: NBN Co plans to "level the playing field"

    Video: NBN Co plans to "level the playing field"

    Quigley says industry structure is as important as the fibre network.
    Munir Kotadia Dec 10 2009 3:33PM Telco/ISP
    Rudd calls halt to broadband ‘rot’

    Rudd calls halt to broadband ‘rot’

    Broadband Future Forum hears of 18 plans abandoned over past 12 years.
    Ry Crozier Dec 10 2009 10:21AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co fleshes out network needs

    NBN Co fleshes out network needs

    Experienced candidates need only apply.
    Brett Winterford Dec 8 2009 1:54PM Networking
    Revealed: Telstra-NBN asset deal dangers

    Revealed: Telstra-NBN asset deal dangers

    Duct damage an unknown in negotiations.
    Ry Crozier Dec 8 2009 12:15PM Telco/ISP
    Corning Cable Systems awarded NBN fibre contract

    Corning Cable Systems awarded NBN fibre contract

    Connects three Tasmanian communities to FTTP.
    Ben Grubb Dec 8 2009 5:46AM Telco/ISP
    Ovum queries layer 3 outlook under NBN model

    Ovum queries layer 3 outlook under NBN model

    Seeks network layer scope creep assurances.
    Ry Crozier Dec 7 2009 12:38PM Networking
    NBN Co fires starting gun for network vendors

    NBN Co fires starting gun for network vendors

    Seeks 'capability statement' from GPON suppliers.
    Brett Winterford Dec 7 2009 6:37AM Networking
    iiNet, Internode, MacTel circling new backhaul links

    iiNet, Internode, MacTel circling new backhaul links

    Predicted capacity will be quickly soaked up.
    Ry Crozier Dec 4 2009 2:18PM Telco/ISP
    Nextgen wins $250m NBN backhaul project

    Nextgen wins $250m NBN backhaul project

    100 regional towns get high-speed ADSL in 18 months.
    Ry Crozier Dec 4 2009 12:58PM Telco/ISP
    Feds to crowdsource ideas for NBN talkfest

    Feds to crowdsource ideas for NBN talkfest

    Community Groups urged to participate via wiki and Twitter.
    Brett Winterford Dec 3 2009 5:24PM Software
    Government "underestimated" broadband guarantee demand

    Government "underestimated" broadband guarantee demand

    Brings forward $23.8 million in broadband guarantee funding.
    Ben Grubb Nov 30 2009 3:31PM Telco/ISP
    Alcatel-Lucent brings sales focus to NBNCo dealings

    Alcatel-Lucent brings sales focus to NBNCo dealings

    Internal taskforce make-up changes.
    Ry Crozier Nov 30 2009 3:20PM Networking
    NBN Committee suggests NBN debate "not proceed"

    NBN Committee suggests NBN debate "not proceed"

    Wants more clarity.
    Ben Grubb Nov 26 2009 3:05PM Telco/ISP
    Tassie fibre testers get free TiVo

    Tassie fibre testers get free TiVo

    Free TiVo and a year's free internet for 1000 households on test-bed fibre network.
    Ben Grubb Nov 25 2009 12:28PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra takes Melbourne cable network to 100 Mbps

    Telstra takes Melbourne cable network to 100 Mbps

    But still no word on a national rollout.
    Brett Winterford Nov 19 2009 11:41AM Telco/ISP
    NBNCo's Kaiser paid $450,000

    NBNCo's Kaiser paid $450,000

    Opposition cries foul.
    Ben Grubb Nov 18 2009 10:55PM Telco/ISP
    Optus to launch LTE wireless trials

    Optus to launch LTE wireless trials

    Makes Telstra's bargaining position that little bit more difficult.
    Brett Winterford Nov 18 2009 5:12PM Telco/ISP
    Tassie Education asks burning NBN question

    Tassie Education asks burning NBN question

    What do we do with it?
    Staff Writers Nov 16 2009 3:02PM Software

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