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 upgrades capacity to almost 200 wireless towers

    NBN Co upgrades capacity to almost 200 wireless towers

    Part of ongoing remediation work.
    Ry Crozier Jul 30 2019 1:17PM Telco/ISP
    Aussie Broadband backs half-price NBN for 'disadvantaged' users

    Aussie Broadband backs half-price NBN for 'disadvantaged' users

    As well as more competitive products above 100Mbps.
    Ry Crozier Jul 30 2019 6:59AM Telco/ISP
    Vocus joins Vodafone in wanting NBN CVC construct scrapped

    Vocus joins Vodafone in wanting NBN CVC construct scrapped

    Sell flat-rate products instead.
    Ry Crozier Jul 30 2019 12:01AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra CEO Penn costed, then rejected, call centre repatriation

    Telstra CEO Penn costed, then rejected, call centre repatriation

    Now adding 4000-plus NBN customers a day.
    Simon Sharwood Jul 25 2019 6:58AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Sky Muster Plus satellite trial averages 43Mbps

    NBN Sky Muster Plus satellite trial averages 43Mbps

    With one-quarter of all data unmetered.
    Ry Crozier Jul 18 2019 10:23PM Telco/ISP
    V4 Telecom warned after wholesale dispute causes outage

    V4 Telecom warned after wholesale dispute causes outage

    Formally warned over its handling of complaints.
    Ry Crozier Jul 18 2019 11:12AM Telco/ISP
    Govt now says 'premature' to cut Telstra from future NBN sale

    Govt now says 'premature' to cut Telstra from future NBN sale

    Leaves door open for telco’s InfraCo unit.
    Ry Crozier Jul 11 2019 5:40PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to fix aerial cable run between two trees in Sydney

    NBN Co to fix aerial cable run between two trees in Sydney

    “Inherited in that condition” from Telstra.
    Ry Crozier Jul 11 2019 2:26PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co's most complained-about access tech is FTTC

    NBN Co's most complained-about access tech is FTTC

    Several thousand complaints a quarter.
    Ry Crozier Jul 10 2019 12:36PM Telco/ISP
    Dodo stung for streaming promises on low-quota NBN plans

    Dodo stung for streaming promises on low-quota NBN plans

    Forced to refund up to $360K in excess usage charges.
    Ry Crozier Jul 10 2019 10:23AM Telco/ISP
    MacTel presses NBN Co to boost reach of 100Mbps+ business services

    MacTel presses NBN Co to boost reach of 100Mbps+ business services

    To fuel its own NBN-powered growth.
    Ry Crozier Jul 9 2019 7:45AM Telco/ISP
    Govt maintains NBN Co's $19.5bn loan "will be" refinanced

    Govt maintains NBN Co's $19.5bn loan "will be" refinanced

    Puts a date on it - but redacts it from view.
    Ry Crozier Jul 8 2019 1:10PM Telco/ISP
    ACMA finds worst NBN modems 'barely break' 50Mbps wi-fi speeds

    ACMA finds worst NBN modems 'barely break' 50Mbps wi-fi speeds

    Reveals its NBN FTTN/B modem router bake-off results.
    Ry Crozier Jul 4 2019 2:47PM Telco/ISP
    ACCC unsure about NBN Co's 'Netflix tax'

    ACCC unsure about NBN Co's 'Netflix tax'

    And the network builder isn't answering any more questions.
    Ry Crozier Jul 4 2019 7:00AM Telco/ISP
    Vocus to push NBN Co for low price plans

    Vocus to push NBN Co for low price plans

    Reveals wishlist for NBN price review.
    Ry Crozier Jul 3 2019 4:54PM Telco/ISP
    Govt wants broadband tax passed this year

    Govt wants broadband tax passed this year

    Resurrects legislation.
    Justin Hendry Jul 2 2019 1:08PM Telco/ISP
    Optus hit with new court case over NBN migration "mistake"

    Optus hit with new court case over NBN migration "mistake"

    Allegedly tried to force a mass churn event.
    Ry Crozier Jun 27 2019 3:44PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co puzzles over what price-sensitive users want

    NBN Co puzzles over what price-sensitive users want

    Analysis: More than just cheaper prices, apparently.
    Ry Crozier Jun 26 2019 1:15PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co urged to annex responsibility for part of last mile

    NBN Co urged to annex responsibility for part of last mile

    Huawei wants to hand FTTN and fixed wireless users some hope.
    Ry Crozier Jun 25 2019 1:05PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co launches new wholesale price review

    NBN Co launches new wholesale price review

    Asks over 50 retail service providers to participate.
    Ry Crozier Jun 20 2019 6:45AM Telco/ISP

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