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.

    • Tasmanian NBN promised by mid-2010

    Tasmanian NBN promised by mid-2010

    Names Tasmanian NBN company to oversee project.
    Staff Writers Jul 16 2009 3:44PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra wins $146m Catholic Schools network deal

    Telstra wins $146m Catholic Schools network deal

    Church invokes higher power should NBN start in five years.
    Brett Winterford Jul 13 2009 7:09PM Telco/ISP
    Anti-fibre activist tells businesses to foot NBN

    Anti-fibre activist tells businesses to foot NBN

    At least for the 'last mile'.
    Ry Crozier Jul 10 2009 5:43AM Telco/ISP
    Country Energy adds NBN to smart grid thinking

    Country Energy adds NBN to smart grid thinking

    Backhaul investments could be valuable.
    Ry Crozier Jul 9 2009 3:12PM Networking
    NBN adviser interviews wrap up

    NBN adviser interviews wrap up

    Details Tasmanian oversight.
    Ry Crozier Jul 8 2009 4:28PM Telco/ISP
    Be patient with NBN investment returns: Hackett

    Be patient with NBN investment returns: Hackett

    $43 billion “cheap” in 50-year context.
    Ry Crozier Jul 7 2009 2:33PM Telco/ISP
    NBN mailbag tallies 700 letters

    NBN mailbag tallies 700 letters

    “Doug from Queensland” offers to dig trenches.
    Ry Crozier Jul 7 2009 1:07PM Telco/ISP
    Huawei considers Australian 4G lab

    Huawei considers Australian 4G lab

    But dollars depend on demand.
    Ry Crozier Jul 3 2009 12:17PM Networking
    Minchin claims there is no need for NBN

    Minchin claims there is no need for NBN

    Argument based on a Sensis survey.
    Brett Winterford Jun 23 2009 3:15PM Telco/ISP
    ispOne out of the regional NBN loop

    ispOne out of the regional NBN loop

    And 150 ISPs with them.
    Ry Crozier Jun 19 2009 2:46PM Telco/ISP
    IT salary growth declines

    IT salary growth declines

    Higher package brackets for managers and DBAs.
    Staff Writers Jun 19 2009 1:44PM Training & Development
    ABC renews $100m Optus satellite deal

    ABC renews $100m Optus satellite deal

    Launch of new Optus satellite imminent.
    Brett Winterford Jun 18 2009 11:26AM Telco/ISP
    Carrier "power" changes signalled to prevent NBN delays

    Carrier "power" changes signalled to prevent NBN delays

    Telstra may not get option to commercially agree ground access.
    Ry Crozier Jun 17 2009 1:29PM Telco/ISP
    Inside Alcatel-Lucent’s Sydney test labs

    Inside Alcatel-Lucent’s Sydney test labs

    Network equipment vendor making space for NBN gear.
    Ry Crozier Jun 16 2009 1:42PM Networking
    Too much risk in aerial NBN cables: Kelso

    Too much risk in aerial NBN cables: Kelso

    Removalists and garbage trucks become enemies of broadband uptime.
    Ry Crozier Jun 15 2009 2:03PM Telco/ISP
    Internode to spend $10m on network expansion

    Internode to spend $10m on network expansion

    NBN or no NBN, Internode makes push for more business in Victoria and Tasmania.
    Brett Winterford Jun 15 2009 11:00AM Telco/ISP
    Massive response to NBN regulatory reform paper

    Massive response to NBN regulatory reform paper

    The 127 submissions made to the Federal Government's telecommunications reform paper may be the tip of the iceberg.
    Brett Winterford Jun 12 2009 3:48PM Telco/ISP
    Huawei upbeat on Vodafone-3 merger

    Huawei upbeat on Vodafone-3 merger

    Huawei Australia said it does not expect sales of its popular wireless broadband USB modems to fall when Vodafone and Hutchison 3 merge.
    Ry Crozier Jun 12 2009 3:46PM Hardware
    Tasmania hurls $12.7m at NBN projects

    Tasmania hurls $12.7m at NBN projects

    The Tasmanian Government has allocated $14.7 million to NBN initiatives in its state budget, including establishment of an advisory group to find more opportunities for investment.
    Staff Writers Jun 12 2009 1:00PM Telco/ISP
    Minchin calls for release of "secret" NBN letter

    Minchin calls for release of "secret" NBN letter

    Shadow Minister for Communications Nick Minchin has called on the Government to release a confidential letter of advice received from the NBN Expert Panel.
    Ben Grubb Jun 11 2009 5:17PM Telco/ISP

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