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 door remains open for Telstra

    NBN door remains open for Telstra

    Broadband Minister Stephen Conroy has asked voters to trust that the government's 98 percent coverage promise for the NBN will be delivered, despite the fact it will consider Telstra's lesser 90 percent proposal.
    Staff Writers Nov 27 2008 3:49PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra baits Government with NBN ‘detail’ carrot

    Telstra baits Government with NBN ‘detail’ carrot

    Telstra will hold the government to ransom by submitting a ‘proposal’ to build a $9.7 billion National Broadband Network but withholding more detailed bid documents.
    Staff Writers Nov 26 2008 1:27PM Telco/ISP
    Terria takes their NBN proposal on the road

    Terria takes their NBN proposal on the road

    Less than a week before the NBN bid deadline, Terria appears to be drumming up last-minute support for its proposal by taking the message to industry and community leaders in Tamworth in regional NSW.
    Ry Crozier Nov 20 2008 3:31PM Telco/ISP
    Axia to bid for slice of National Broadband Network

    Axia to bid for slice of National Broadband Network

    Canada’s Axia NetMedia Group has appeared to signal an intention to bid for the National Broadband Network (NBN), dependent on its ability to utilise ‘functional capital markets’.
    Staff Writers Nov 17 2008 2:58PM Telco/ISP
    No NBN without Telstra: Budde

    No NBN without Telstra: Budde

    Telstra cannot be cut out of National Broadband Network discussions even if Terria or Acacia were to win the tender, according to telco analyst Paul Budde.
    Ry Crozier Nov 5 2008 2:41PM Telco/ISP
    NBN public debate in Sydney misses the point

    NBN public debate in Sydney misses the point

    iiNet has imparted a blunt warning to both Terria and Telstra at today’s highly-anticipated debate, calling on both parties to drop historical and theoretical arguments and focus on the best interests of the customer.
    Ry Crozier Nov 5 2008 2:41PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra cans Terria debate

    Telstra cans Terria debate

    Telstra is at the centre of a new storm amid allegations that it pulled out of tomorrow’s NBN debate after a failed last-minute attempt to oust the Competitive Carriers Coalition (CCC) and Paul Budde from the Broadband World conference program.
    Ry Crozier Nov 4 2008 11:12AM Telco/ISP
    LIVE today: Terria and Havyatt head-to-head on NBN

    LIVE today: Terria and Havyatt head-to-head on NBN

    Updated reminder: LIVE coverage of the National Broadband Network and structural separation debates at Broadband World 2008 now starts here at 11.30AM AESDT. Join the discussion!
    Ry Crozier Nov 3 2008 4:36PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra stands ready to build NBN

    Telstra stands ready to build NBN

    Telstra has conducted ‘detailed planning’ and secured financing to build what they claim is ‘Australia’s most urgent and important infrastructure project’, but has stopped short of committing to actually bid for it.
    Staff Writers Oct 30 2008 2:52PM Telco/ISP
    Terria hit with two losses

    Terria hit with two losses

    NBN consortium Terria appears to be falling apart after TPG/Soul and TransAct announced their decision to withdraw from the consortium.

    Lilia Guan Oct 27 2008 2:44PM Telco/ISP
    Terria dances on Telstra’s NBN threats

    Terria dances on Telstra’s NBN threats

    Terria has jumped on threats by Telstra that it would not bid for the NBN if structural separation remains on the table, claiming its rival is only interested in 're-monopolising fixed line voice and Internet services in Australia'.
    Staff Writers Oct 25 2008 1:09PM Telco/ISP
    Industry Group calls for NBN pricing and access regime

    Industry Group calls for NBN pricing and access regime

    The Australian Industry Group has called on both the federal Government and industry to get pricing and access regimes for the national broadband network right the first time in order to derive maximum economic benefit.
    Staff Writers Oct 21 2008 1:42PM Telco/ISP
    NBN ‘critical’ to resolving State backhaul complaints

    NBN ‘critical’ to resolving State backhaul complaints

    Two state government submissions to the regional telecommunications review led to the finding of ‘inadequate’ backhaul availability in regional Australia, the committee chair has revealed.
    Ry Crozier Oct 18 2008 10:00AM Telco/ISP
    Terria confirms NBN bid without telco AAPT

    Terria confirms NBN bid without telco AAPT

    Terria has confirmed it will continue its bid for the national broadband network, despite AAPT’s withdrawal from the consortium today.
    Staff Writers Oct 16 2008 11:37AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra hammers ‘ramshackle’ Terria over funding

    Telstra hammers ‘ramshackle’ Terria over funding

    Telstra has come out swinging at the Terria consortium claiming it has no assets, money, plan or ‘intention of ever participating in the construction process for the National Broadband Network’.
    Staff Writers Oct 15 2008 5:10PM Telco/ISP
    NBN costs go down, not up

    NBN costs go down, not up

    Federal broadband minister Stephen Conroy has weighed in on suggestions of a cost blow-out for the National Broadband Network (NBN), suggesting the cost may in fact be lower than first thought.
    Ry Crozier Oct 15 2008 3:45PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra tells Rudd: We need high-speed broadband

    Telstra tells Rudd: We need high-speed broadband

    Telstra has told PM Rudd that high-speed broadband must be the first cab off the rank. But on whose terms?
    Staff Writers Oct 3 2008 1:32PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra rebuffs R&D criticism

    Telstra rebuffs R&D criticism

    Telstra’s chief technology officer Hugh Bradlow today responded to NICTA CEO David Skellern’s comments that Telstra was 'a disgrace' to the state of research and development in Australia.
    Kathryn Small Sep 24 2008 3:43PM Strategy
    Telstra slams Optus for cancelling Fusion wireless broadband

    Telstra slams Optus for cancelling Fusion wireless broadband

    Telstra slammed Optus as 'a disaster' after Australia’s number two carrier cancelled its popular Fusion wireless broadband service.
    Kathryn Small Sep 18 2008 5:39PM Telco/ISP
    Opinion: The monopoly we had to have

    Opinion: The monopoly we had to have

    News that the Terria consortium wants the NBN to be a separate entity owned by "we the people" is being construed by Telstra as nothing more than sour grapes because Terria isn’t going to get the gig.
    Ian Yates Sep 11 2008 7:45AM Telco/ISP

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