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 activations surge above 42,000 a week as Australia locks down

    NBN activations surge above 42,000 a week as Australia locks down

    As boss blasts critics for talking down the NBN.
    Ry Crozier Apr 7 2020 10:30AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co records highest ever peak throughput of 13.8Tbps

    NBN Co records highest ever peak throughput of 13.8Tbps

    Starts publishing weekly numbers on network use.
    Ry Crozier Apr 2 2020 4:14PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra says COVID-19 leads customers to cancel technician visits

    Telstra says COVID-19 leads customers to cancel technician visits

    Or to refuse to let them in once on-site.
    Ry Crozier Apr 2 2020 7:05AM Telco/ISP
    Labor sees new data source emerge to identify children without connectivity

    Labor sees new data source emerge to identify children without connectivity

    Pandemic response may provide fresh mechanism.
    Ry Crozier Apr 1 2020 3:24PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co and biggest carriers to jointly tackle telco congestion

    NBN Co and biggest carriers to jointly tackle telco congestion

    With 'unusual traffic management and capacity optimisation techniques'.
    Ry Crozier Apr 1 2020 10:12AM Networking
    Aussie Broadband rallies industry behind NBN Co

    Aussie Broadband rallies industry behind NBN Co

    "Put all the naysayers to bed once and for all".
    Ry Crozier Mar 30 2020 10:54AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to unmeter over 70 percent of traffic on Sky Muster Plus

    NBN Co to unmeter over 70 percent of traffic on Sky Muster Plus

    Responds to growing concerns in satellite footprint.
    Ry Crozier Mar 25 2020 8:32AM Telco/ISP
    SkyMesh, Activ8me NBN satellite users offered 'relief' data each week

    SkyMesh, Activ8me NBN satellite users offered 'relief' data each week

    While further concessions pursued behind-the-scenes.
    Ry Crozier Mar 20 2020 1:00PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co's fair value estimated at just $8.7 billion

    NBN Co's fair value estimated at just $8.7 billion

    Parliamentary Budget Office scrutinises 'alternative funding' arrangements.
    Ry Crozier Mar 19 2020 1:30PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co offers up to 40 percent bandwidth boost to internet providers

    NBN Co offers up to 40 percent bandwidth boost to internet providers

    To ease any network strain caused by people isolating at home.
    Ry Crozier Mar 18 2020 5:37PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co rebrands 'up to gigabit' as Ultrafast, defined as "500Mbps to ~1Gbps"

    NBN Co rebrands 'up to gigabit' as Ultrafast, defined as "500Mbps to ~1Gbps"

    Also confirms overhead margin on 100Mbps and 250Mbps services.
    Ry Crozier Mar 17 2020 12:42PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co faces price flex test as more people work from home

    NBN Co faces price flex test as more people work from home

    Says its network will cope, but usage costs might be tested.
    Ry Crozier Mar 16 2020 6:19PM Telco/ISP
    TPG still unsure how much broadband tax it could pay

    TPG still unsure how much broadband tax it could pay

    Also complains bundled CVC with NBN plans out-of-step with usage.
    Ry Crozier Mar 5 2020 12:52PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to bring enterprise services into "selected" data centres

    NBN Co to bring enterprise services into "selected" data centres

    Plots trial.
    Ry Crozier Mar 3 2020 6:49AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to raise fixed wireless resilience after fiery summer

    NBN Co to raise fixed wireless resilience after fiery summer

    Explores wider exclusion zones, solar backup power, underground transit.
    Ry Crozier Mar 2 2020 12:55PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co upgrades network gear software after Sky Muster faults skyrocket

    NBN Co upgrades network gear software after Sky Muster faults skyrocket

    January 2020 outage impacted more users than reported.
    Ry Crozier Feb 27 2020 6:45AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra stops offering 100Mbps services for NBN FTTN/B/C users

    Telstra stops offering 100Mbps services for NBN FTTN/B/C users

    New signups are now limited to 50Mbps.
    Ry Crozier Feb 26 2020 1:24PM Telco/ISP
    Kiwis opting for gigabit broadband over 100 Mbps service

    Kiwis opting for gigabit broadband over 100 Mbps service

    Big speed step-up at small premium for fibre customers.
    Juha Saarinen Feb 25 2020 6:40AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co pleads for cash to help fixed wireless, satellite refugees

    NBN Co pleads for cash to help fixed wireless, satellite refugees

    'Least cost to the taxpayer' rollout not enough for hospitals, schools already needing upgrades.
    Ry Crozier Feb 24 2020 1:32PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra delays legacy copper disconnections for more fire-affected areas

    Telstra delays legacy copper disconnections for more fire-affected areas

    More states and territories, postcodes added.
    Ry Crozier Feb 23 2020 6:45AM Telco/ISP

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