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.

    • Optus chief takes aim at OTT services, NBN

    Optus chief takes aim at OTT services, NBN

    Sector’s profitability should interest policy makers.
    Ry Crozier Nov 30 2020 1:11PM Telco/ISP
    ACMA to ensure internet users see NBN rebates

    ACMA to ensure internet users see NBN rebates

    Either in 'monetary value' or as 'in kind' benefits.
    Ry Crozier Nov 10 2020 6:50AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co could have first gigabit-ready FTTC services in a year

    NBN Co could have first gigabit-ready FTTC services in a year

    Though asks not to be held to that timeline.
    Ry Crozier Nov 4 2020 6:05PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co offers technology choice exit for would-be FTTN upgraders

    NBN Co offers technology choice exit for would-be FTTN upgraders

    Won’t reimburse users that already paid for an upgrade.
    Ry Crozier Nov 4 2020 1:11PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co's financial returns take backseat to affordability, usability

    NBN Co's financial returns take backseat to affordability, usability

    ACCC sets the scene for a new SAU.
    Ry Crozier Oct 28 2020 12:15PM Telco/ISP
    Vocus backs LEO satellites to bridge regional broadband divide

    Vocus backs LEO satellites to bridge regional broadband divide

    Which is widening in the metro race towards gigabit speeds.
    Ry Crozier Oct 27 2020 5:23PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co reveals first locations with an FTTN upgrade path to full fibre

    NBN Co reveals first locations with an FTTN upgrade path to full fibre

    Starts work on bringing fibre from node to street.
    Ry Crozier Oct 27 2020 11:54AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co proposes app bandwidth limits when its wireless network is busy

    NBN Co proposes app bandwidth limits when its wireless network is busy

    Says 'heavy users' are routinely in breach of fair use.
    Ry Crozier Oct 23 2020 1:19PM Telco/ISP
    TPG, Aussie Broadband seek longer-term price change from NBN Co

    TPG, Aussie Broadband seek longer-term price change from NBN Co

    Retailers lukewarm at latest round of discounts and changes.
    Ry Crozier Oct 23 2020 12:17PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co sets a low bar to qualify for a full-fibre upgrade

    NBN Co sets a low bar to qualify for a full-fibre upgrade

    Also reveals the cost-per-premises it will incur.
    Ry Crozier Oct 23 2020 7:00AM Telco/ISP
    Broadband tax model review questions cost clawback

    Broadband tax model review questions cost clawback

    Levy would be as low as $2.94 - not $7.10 - if it covered only future losses.
    Ry Crozier Oct 22 2020 9:34AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to restart extra bandwidth charges in December

    NBN Co to restart extra bandwidth charges in December

    Lays out plan to cushion impact, but is it enough to stave off price hikes?
    Ry Crozier Oct 22 2020 12:01AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co expands ITOM transformation with event management

    NBN Co expands ITOM transformation with event management

    Turns on additional capabilities in ServiceNow.
    Ry Crozier Oct 20 2020 7:02AM Strategy
    Comms Minister tackles ACCC's NBN interventions with a 'statement of expectations'

    Comms Minister tackles ACCC's NBN interventions with a 'statement of expectations'

    Pushing government's position on telco issues.
    Ry Crozier Oct 15 2020 11:18AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co teams up with CSIRO to probe nation's digital needs

    NBN Co teams up with CSIRO to probe nation's digital needs

    Collaborating on national research projects.
    Matt Johnston Oct 13 2020 11:57AM Strategy
    NBN Co to deploy more fixed wireless cells to improve uplink speeds

    NBN Co to deploy more fixed wireless cells to improve uplink speeds

    Pushes some users above 10Mbps for the first time in a while.
    Ry Crozier Oct 8 2020 12:38PM Telco/ISP
    TPG calls for NBN protectionism to end

    TPG calls for NBN protectionism to end

    Asks for competitive constraints to be lifted.
    Ry Crozier Oct 6 2020 12:33PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co shows first 'indicative' maps for 130 business fibre zones

    NBN Co shows first 'indicative' maps for 130 business fibre zones

    Places high-level boundaries.
    Ry Crozier Sep 25 2020 12:19PM Telco/ISP
    NBN FTTN network 'will have paid for itself' by 2023

    NBN FTTN network 'will have paid for itself' by 2023

    Tracing the link between upgrades and NBN Co's saleable value.
    Ry Crozier Sep 25 2020 6:55AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co only expects 400,000 FTTN users to have active fibre services by 2024

    NBN Co only expects 400,000 FTTN users to have active fibre services by 2024

    Two million can 'order' a service, 80 percent won’t be active.
    Ry Crozier Sep 23 2020 3:46PM Telco/ISP

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