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 Tasmania announces fibre contract

    NBN Tasmania announces fibre contract

    NBN Tasmania awards fibre contract to Corning Cable Systems.
    Staff Writers Oct 8 2009 12:26PM Telco/ISP
    Telco execs join NBN Co

    Telco execs join NBN Co

    Ex-Optus mobile guru and channel veteran join NBN Co.
    Brett Winterford Oct 6 2009 2:26PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra investors launch anti-separation campaign

    Telstra investors launch anti-separation campaign

    Expresses "deep concern" at the proposed changes.
    Staff Writers Oct 6 2009 12:40PM Telco/ISP
    Quigley and Conroy at odds over NBN pricing

    Quigley and Conroy at odds over NBN pricing

    Quigley bristles at the idea of subsidising regional access.
    Ben Grubb Oct 2 2009 10:50AM Telco/ISP
    Finance battered over Ergas' NBN cost-benefit analysis

    Finance battered over Ergas' NBN cost-benefit analysis

    Department told to review it.
    Ry Crozier Oct 1 2009 5:41PM Telco/ISP
    NBN brings up fixed broadband figures

    NBN brings up fixed broadband figures

    Consumers keep their connections.
    Staff Writers Sep 28 2009 2:24PM Telco/ISP
    Photos: Digging Tasmania's National Broadband Network trench

    Photos: Digging Tasmania's National Broadband Network trench

    Imported $1.2m machine starts first trench for fibre network.
    Brett Winterford Sep 25 2009 1:14AM Oddware
    Analysts: NBN Co the winner from any Telstra split

    Analysts: NBN Co the winner from any Telstra split

    A trap has been set for Telstra's ducts and pipes.
    Brett Winterford Sep 21 2009 4:19PM Telco/ISP
    Deloitte says British expats should work on NBN

    Deloitte says British expats should work on NBN

    Jobs available down under for 15,000 retrenched BT workers?
    Brett Winterford Sep 17 2009 1:32PM Training & Development
    Expert: No recourse for Telstra in the High Court

    Expert: No recourse for Telstra in the High Court

    Where to next for Telstra?
    Brett Winterford , Ben Grubb Sep 16 2009 11:39AM Telco/ISP
    Quigley offers ISPs a rough sketch of NBN architecture

    Quigley offers ISPs a rough sketch of NBN architecture

    Seeks consultation as to where NBN Co and ISPs should intersect.
    Brett Winterford Sep 16 2009 8:31AM Networking
    Samuel: A new era for telecommunications regulation

    Samuel: A new era for telecommunications regulation

    Competition watchdog gets sharper teeth.
    Brett Winterford Sep 16 2009 7:13AM Telco/ISP
    Analyst: Conroy's Telstra threat just a 'negotiating tactic'

    Analyst: Conroy's Telstra threat just a 'negotiating tactic'

    Hope is not lost for Telstra.
    Munir Kotadia Sep 15 2009 4:17PM Telco/ISP
    TERRiA reunites, calls for a competitive NBN

    TERRiA reunites, calls for a competitive NBN

    ISPs issue a call to arms.
    Ben Grubb Sep 14 2009 5:47PM Networking
    Growth in DSL connections stagnates

    Growth in DSL connections stagnates

    Wireless broadband continues to spike.
    Brett Winterford Sep 14 2009 5:40PM Telco/ISP
    Alcatel-Lucent strengthens its grip in NBN Company

    Alcatel-Lucent strengthens its grip in NBN Company

    Former chief financial officer reunites with colleague.
    Staff Writers Sep 14 2009 5:39PM Telco/ISP
    NBN cost debate picks up steam

    NBN cost debate picks up steam

    Would you pay $200 a month for 100Mbps?
    Nate Cochrane Sep 9 2009 7:11AM Networking
    Telcos call for NBN ownership cap

    Telcos call for NBN ownership cap

    Caps as low as five percent suggested.
    Ben Grubb Sep 7 2009 12:42PM Telco/ISP
    NBN “useless” without subsea investment

    NBN “useless” without subsea investment

    Can’t attract data centres for cloud capacity.
    Ry Crozier Aug 28 2009 2:09PM Telco/ISP
    Vigilantes threaten rough justice on aerial NBN cables

    Vigilantes threaten rough justice on aerial NBN cables

    Trucks and 4WDs roam the streets with hooks.
    Ry Crozier Aug 26 2009 11:17AM Telco/ISP

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