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 reinvents broadband speed test rankings

    NBN Co reinvents broadband speed test rankings

    "Debunks" other league tables, creates its own.
    Ry Crozier Oct 11 2019 1:16PM Telco/ISP
    Vocus calls for rewrite of NBN statement of expectations

    Vocus calls for rewrite of NBN statement of expectations

    To curb bad business market behaviour.
    Ry Crozier Oct 10 2019 11:58AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co sanctioned over Macquarie Telecom business deal

    NBN Co sanctioned over Macquarie Telecom business deal

    Equivalent terms not offered to other providers.
    Ry Crozier Oct 9 2019 11:47AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co wants to fix your home wi-fi

    NBN Co wants to fix your home wi-fi

    Using a "tool, firmware agent, or feature" added to your wi-fi gateway.
    Ry Crozier Oct 9 2019 7:06AM Telco/ISP
    JB Rousselot to head up Chorus

    JB Rousselot to head up Chorus

    Former Telstra exec replaces former Telstra exec.
    Juha Saarinen Oct 9 2019 6:36AM Strategy
    Telstra cuts uplink speeds early in NBN fixed wireless shift

    Telstra cuts uplink speeds early in NBN fixed wireless shift

    Won't wait until 2020 to max out at 10Mbps.
    Ry Crozier Oct 8 2019 1:15PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co rezones businesses for cheaper pricing

    NBN Co rezones businesses for cheaper pricing

    Concerted effort to draw 600k businesses off residential connections.
    Ry Crozier Oct 8 2019 6:55AM Telco/ISP
    Aussie Broadband suggests NBN Co pay $150 for missed appointments

    Aussie Broadband suggests NBN Co pay $150 for missed appointments

    Instead of current $25 rebate.
    Ry Crozier Oct 1 2019 3:37PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co faces $30-a-day fines for unfixed faults

    NBN Co faces $30-a-day fines for unfixed faults

    Will also have to pay users $20/month for congested or slow services.
    Ry Crozier Oct 1 2019 10:37AM Telco/ISP
    Govt suggests NBN Co may need competitors

    Govt suggests NBN Co may need competitors

    To drive fixed-line tech forward over the next decade.
    Ry Crozier Sep 20 2019 1:20PM Telco/ISP
    Sydney-based Infinity Telecom nabbed over NBN information rules

    Sydney-based Infinity Telecom nabbed over NBN information rules

    Infinity Telecom catches ire from ACMA.
    Nico Arboleda Sep 20 2019 1:18PM Financial Services
    Govt says NBN Co's Sky Muster inherited an image problem

    Govt says NBN Co's Sky Muster inherited an image problem

    Blames Labor for it.
    Ry Crozier Sep 19 2019 12:50PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co finally commercialises IoT connectivity

    NBN Co finally commercialises IoT connectivity

    After starting traffic light trials back in 2017.
    Ry Crozier Sep 19 2019 10:00AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co pitches 100Mbps+ users as a capacity management feature

    NBN Co pitches 100Mbps+ users as a capacity management feature

    But plan could be 'undercooked' before it can even be actioned.
    Ry Crozier Sep 19 2019 6:55AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co still thinks 100/40Mbps might become 'business-only'

    NBN Co still thinks 100/40Mbps might become 'business-only'

    But 'naturally', instead of via formal direction.
    Ry Crozier Sep 18 2019 12:40PM Telco/ISP
    Govt pitches unlimited 12Mbps as "entry-level" NBN

    Govt pitches unlimited 12Mbps as "entry-level" NBN

    Suggests retail cost of $60 a month.
    Ry Crozier Sep 17 2019 4:19PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co floats "up to" gigabit speeds for $80 a month

    NBN Co floats "up to" gigabit speeds for $80 a month

    With a small uplink to slash costs.
    Ry Crozier Sep 17 2019 12:00PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co confirms it won't scrap CVC charges

    NBN Co confirms it won't scrap CVC charges

    Or increase the amount included with plans substantially.
    Ry Crozier Sep 17 2019 12:00PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to revive 25Mbps broadband services tier

    NBN Co to revive 25Mbps broadband services tier

    But offers little respite for entry-level users.
    Ry Crozier Sep 17 2019 12:00PM Telco/ISP
    Vocus hopes ACCC will drive down NBN prices, if NBN Co doesn't

    Vocus hopes ACCC will drive down NBN prices, if NBN Co doesn't

    Network builder’s price response expected within fortnight.
    Ry Crozier Sep 12 2019 4:56PM Telco/ISP

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