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.

    • 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
    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

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