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.

    • 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
    Don’t make NBN “another Optus”: residents group

    Don’t make NBN “another Optus”: residents group

    Sydney suburb urges against HFC rollout repeat.
    Ry Crozier Aug 26 2009 5:28AM Telco/ISP
    Future Fund dumps $2.4 billion of Telstra shares

    Future Fund dumps $2.4 billion of Telstra shares

    Analysts say a trimming of the Telstra fat was inevitable.
    Munir Kotadia Aug 21 2009 2:39PM Telco/ISP
    TNBN board topped with energy and infrastructure execs

    TNBN board topped with energy and infrastructure execs

    Former Aurora Energy CEO on Tasmanian NBN board.
    Staff Writers Aug 21 2009 2:25PM Telco/ISP
    Worst case regulation to cost Telstra $1.6 billion

    Worst case regulation to cost Telstra $1.6 billion

    Telstra CFO projects potential cost of NBN competition.
    Brett Winterford Aug 15 2009 9:28AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra confirms it will open up greenfield access

    Telstra confirms it will open up greenfield access

    Wants USO relief in return.
    Brett Winterford Aug 14 2009 7:42PM Telco/ISP
    Adam to build Adelaide metro WiMAX network

    Adam to build Adelaide metro WiMAX network

    Residents in blackspots get antenna and setup for free.
    Staff Writers Aug 14 2009 2:10PM Telco/ISP
    NBN chairman nets a $1.95 million salary

    NBN chairman nets a $1.95 million salary

    But Mike Quigley misses out on private-sector incentives.
    Brett Winterford Aug 14 2009 11:22AM Telco/ISP
    SAP negotiates with Aussie telco for hosted offer

    SAP negotiates with Aussie telco for hosted offer

    Local software-as-a-service product on the cards.
    Ry Crozier Aug 12 2009 2:37PM Software
    Telstra puts open Velocity fibre on table

    Telstra puts open Velocity fibre on table

    Complains of lock-out in some estates.
    Ry Crozier Aug 11 2009 1:46PM Telco/ISP

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