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 Co to trial 750/50Mbps as 'near gigabit' HFC tier

    NBN Co to trial 750/50Mbps as 'near gigabit' HFC tier

    First outcome from closed-door gigabit consultation.
    Ry Crozier Dec 19 2019 1:00PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co offers holdouts half-price internet for a year

    NBN Co offers holdouts half-price internet for a year

    New 'first timers discount' revealed.
    Ry Crozier Dec 18 2019 1:45PM Telco/ISP
    TPG 'contemplates' future of sub-$60 NBN plans

    TPG 'contemplates' future of sub-$60 NBN plans

    Major repercussions possible in price-sensitive market.
    Ry Crozier Dec 11 2019 11:46PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co challenges Australia's $60 broadband 'sweet spot'

    NBN Co challenges Australia's $60 broadband 'sweet spot'

    Claims "high-use end users" could fill up unlimited entry-level products.
    Ry Crozier Dec 11 2019 5:26PM Telco/ISP
    Vocus calls NBN Co's constant price discounts a "con"

    Vocus calls NBN Co's constant price discounts a "con"

    Dealing in "sugar hits" that wear off quickly.
    Ry Crozier Dec 11 2019 4:40PM Telco/ISP
    How NBN Co struck its bothersome business deals

    How NBN Co struck its bothersome business deals

    Exclusive: Two months after the ACCC's formal warning, what’s changed?
    Ry Crozier Dec 10 2019 6:50AM Telco/ISP
    Aussie Broadband pauses IPv6 trial due to Cisco bug

    Aussie Broadband pauses IPv6 trial due to Cisco bug

    Latest patch solved one problem but caused another.
    Ry Crozier Dec 2 2019 5:17PM Networking
    Optus cops $6.4m fine for dodgy NBN disconnection claims

    Optus cops $6.4m fine for dodgy NBN disconnection claims

    Second fine in two years.
    Matt Johnston Dec 2 2019 11:26AM Financial Services
    NBN Co shows its top user now hits 26TB a month

    NBN Co shows its top user now hits 26TB a month

    Manages to find another 2.5 - 3TB.
    Ry Crozier Dec 2 2019 10:17AM Telco/ISP
    Broadband tax now planned to kick in July 2020

    Broadband tax now planned to kick in July 2020

    Govt reintroduces legislation to underpin scheme.
    Justin Hendry Nov 28 2019 12:41PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra sees no upside in latest NBN price changes

    Telstra sees no upside in latest NBN price changes

    'Their ARPU is our cost'.
    Ry Crozier Nov 27 2019 11:32AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to allow internet providers to pool CVC nationally

    NBN Co to allow internet providers to pool CVC nationally

    Also approves over-dimensioning on most fixed-line services.
    Ry Crozier Nov 26 2019 12:00PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to temporarily cut 100Mbps prices starting 2020

    NBN Co to temporarily cut 100Mbps prices starting 2020

    But not for existing users.
    Ry Crozier Nov 26 2019 12:00PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co has "difficulty competing" for new housing estate jobs

    NBN Co has "difficulty competing" for new housing estate jobs

    Commercial operators' success prompts government review.
    Ry Crozier Nov 25 2019 10:52AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co helps staff solve awkward questions at social events

    NBN Co helps staff solve awkward questions at social events

    Find answers, lodge support tickets on the spot.
    Ry Crozier Nov 22 2019 1:10PM Cloud
    Telstra's free NBN speed boost backfires

    Telstra's free NBN speed boost backfires

    As FTTN/B curse resurfaces.
    Ry Crozier Nov 21 2019 6:19PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co looks to retain customers and grow their "lifetime value"

    NBN Co looks to retain customers and grow their "lifetime value"

    Establishes a presence across seven Salesforce clouds.
    Ry Crozier Nov 21 2019 7:04AM Cloud
    NBN Co removes barriers to lodging a support ticket

    NBN Co removes barriers to lodging a support ticket

    New service health card to help RSPs diagnose and escalate faults.
    Ry Crozier Nov 20 2019 1:39PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co claims internet providers will milk it for rebates

    NBN Co claims internet providers will milk it for rebates

    While arguing it could also be persuaded to game the system for revenue.
    Ry Crozier Nov 20 2019 6:55AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to run CX transformation

    NBN Co to run CX transformation

    Builds new CoE, plans to deploy new software.
    Ry Crozier Nov 19 2019 7:10AM Telco/ISP

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