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.

    • London residents try to stall fibre optic rollout

    London residents try to stall fibre optic rollout

    Complaints over "unsightly" street-level cabinets.
    Phil Muncaster Aug 10 2009 3:28PM Telco/ISP
    Photos: Ericsson goes on tour with NBN-in-a-box

    Photos: Ericsson goes on tour with NBN-in-a-box

    Mini-NBN based on gigabit passive optical networking kit.
    Brett Winterford Aug 8 2009 8:48AM Networking
    McKinsey-KPMG wins $25m NBN advisory role

    McKinsey-KPMG wins $25m NBN advisory role

    McKinsey and Company to advise board composed of its alumni.
    Brett Winterford Aug 6 2009 3:56PM Telco/ISP
    CSIRO grilled over mystery wireless solution

    CSIRO grilled over mystery wireless solution

    Too big a secret to tell the Feds about.
    Ry Crozier Aug 6 2009 5:00AM Networking
    Axia NetMedia eyes NBN role with Sydney office

    Axia NetMedia eyes NBN role with Sydney office

    Still cagey on what role that would be.
    Ry Crozier Aug 5 2009 2:24PM Telco/ISP
    Unwired urges telcos to share network maps

    Unwired urges telcos to share network maps

    Carriers accused of trivial games when asked to share data.
    Ben Grubb Aug 5 2009 1:36PM Telco/ISP
    Australia lacks cloud computing industry: Analyst

    Australia lacks cloud computing industry: Analyst

    Study fails to find local providers.
    Brett Winterford Aug 5 2009 6:36AM Networking
    OECD: Broadband networks lead market recovery

    OECD: Broadband networks lead market recovery

    Australia's NBN plan dwarfs global efforts.
    Brett Winterford Jul 31 2009 3:21PM Telco/ISP
    Quigley quietly steps down from Leighton

    Quigley quietly steps down from Leighton

    Nextgen role a clash for NBNCo chair.
    Brett Winterford Jul 28 2009 5:20PM Telco/ISP
    Nextgen to wire sports stadiums with fibre network

    Nextgen to wire sports stadiums with fibre network

    Signs deal with FOX SPORTS owner, Premier Media Group.
    Brett Winterford Jul 28 2009 1:06PM Networking
    Acacia executive resurfaces for Tasmania NBN

    Acacia executive resurfaces for Tasmania NBN

    "Perfectly qualified" to drive NBN rollout on the Apple isle.
    Staff Writers Jul 27 2009 12:24PM Telco/ISP
    Rudd announces Tasmania NBN links

    Rudd announces Tasmania NBN links

    Tasmanian towns of Smithton, Scottsdale and Midway Point to be connected by July 2010.
    Staff Writers Jul 27 2009 9:35AM Telco/ISP
    Sydney pitched for national broadband network headquarters

    Sydney pitched for national broadband network headquarters

    Australian Technology Park, Barangaroo and North Ryde on HQ shortlist.
    Brett Winterford Jul 23 2009 5:14PM Telco/ISP
    Government to charge $24k for access to NBN documents

    Government to charge $24k for access to NBN documents

    Opposition stumped at price of paper.
    Ben Grubb Jul 23 2009 1:13PM Telco/ISP
    Infrastructure lobby pitches ACCC to set NBN access prices

    Infrastructure lobby pitches ACCC to set NBN access prices

    Renewed calls for Telstra separation plan.
    Staff Writers Jul 22 2009 4:36PM Telco/ISP
    Google pushes need for high speed NBN

    Google pushes need for high speed NBN

    Fast internet and net neutrality essential, says Google.
    Staff Writers Jul 22 2009 4:23PM Software
    Conroy faces pressure over infrastructure bonds

    Conroy faces pressure over infrastructure bonds

    More immediate NBN issues to deal with.
    Ry Crozier Jul 21 2009 2:33PM Financial Services
    Victoria’s NBN testbed reveals national plans

    Victoria’s NBN testbed reveals national plans

    Eyes extensions with AARNET, NICTA and CSIRO.
    Ry Crozier Jul 21 2009 6:00AM Telco/ISP
    Conroy eyes Telstra copper assets for NBN

    Conroy eyes Telstra copper assets for NBN

    Twenty billion dollar investment could facilitate “trade-offs”.
    Ry Crozier Jul 20 2009 1:28PM Telco/ISP
    Tassie NBN to be delivered on power poles

    Tassie NBN to be delivered on power poles

    Tender points to use of overhead cables.
    Brett Winterford Jul 16 2009 5:38PM Telco/ISP

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