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.

    • 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
    NBN Co wants to create a cut-price 100Mbps product

    NBN Co wants to create a cut-price 100Mbps product

    While providing performance boost to existing 100Mbps users.
    Ry Crozier Jun 20 2019 12:01AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co backs down on 12Mbps price crunch

    NBN Co backs down on 12Mbps price crunch

    Will now keep current discounts until mid-2020.
    Ry Crozier Jun 20 2019 12:01AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co prepares for NPIS transformation

    NBN Co prepares for NPIS transformation

    Aims to simplify the way RSPs interact with its wholesale systems.
    Ry Crozier Jun 19 2019 7:12AM Telco/ISP
    NBN scam losses sky rocket over last year

    NBN scam losses sky rocket over last year

    Elderly targeted.
    Juha Saarinen Jun 17 2019 10:19AM Security
    Qld govt cashes up its internet backhaul play FibreCo

    Qld govt cashes up its internet backhaul play FibreCo

    Aims to improve regional NBN connectivity.
    Justin Hendry Jun 12 2019 6:30AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co's Sky Muster Plus to start at $45 a month wholesale

    NBN Co's Sky Muster Plus to start at $45 a month wholesale

    Satellite charges brought in line with other access techs.
    Ry Crozier Jun 7 2019 12:36PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co fights to keep control of its 5G spectrum

    NBN Co fights to keep control of its 5G spectrum

    As bandwidth-hungry commercial carriers circle.
    Ry Crozier Jun 6 2019 11:20PM Telco/ISP
    Optus 'concierge' to take grief out of NBN migration

    Optus 'concierge' to take grief out of NBN migration

    Chases a smoother customer experience.
    Ry Crozier Jun 6 2019 12:30PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to trial its first FTTN upgrade paths from June

    NBN Co to trial its first FTTN upgrade paths from June

    Part of wider program of work codenamed COAT.
    Ry Crozier May 27 2019 1:10PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co upgrades 'vast majority' of packet-dropping backhaul links

    NBN Co upgrades 'vast majority' of packet-dropping backhaul links

    Connected to some of its fixed wireless towers.
    Ry Crozier May 23 2019 10:00PM Telco/ISP
    NBN fixed wireless users get ACCC advice on slow speeds

    NBN fixed wireless users get ACCC advice on slow speeds

    Put up with them, exit - or delay signing up in the first place.
    Ry Crozier May 23 2019 3:55PM Telco/ISP

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