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 gets green light for new pricing, service standards

    NBN Co gets green light for new pricing, service standards

    After almost three years.
    Ry Crozier Oct 17 2023 12:47PM Telco/ISP
    NBN price changes by Christmas are now all but certain

    NBN price changes by Christmas are now all but certain

    But providers still not keen for twin ‘price shocks’ for 50Mbps users and below.
    Ry Crozier Sep 20 2023 6:45AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co works on its fibre upgrade processes

    NBN Co works on its fibre upgrade processes

    Tries to get FTTN users activated on fibre sooner.
    Ry Crozier Sep 8 2023 6:51AM Telco/ISP
    Large area wi-fi demonstrated in Sydney

    Large area wi-fi demonstrated in Sydney

    As project reaches halfway point.
    Richard Chirgwin Sep 6 2023 11:28AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co hits savings milestone in IT simplification

    NBN Co hits savings milestone in IT simplification

    While revealing more about work pillars.
    Ry Crozier Sep 6 2023 6:29AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co exec reshuffle in networks and engineering

    NBN Co exec reshuffle in networks and engineering

    Following Kathrine Dyer’s decision to leave.
    Ry Crozier Aug 30 2023 3:45PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co targets apartment blocks for next fibre upgrade wave

    NBN Co targets apartment blocks for next fibre upgrade wave

    Will do whole-of-block upgrades for $275 per apartment.
    Ry Crozier Aug 29 2023 3:36PM Telco/ISP
    NBN users may see twin price rises within six months

    NBN users may see twin price rises within six months

    SAU process edges closer to completion.
    Ry Crozier Aug 24 2023 6:51AM Telco/ISP
    How to reach the ‘Holy Grail’ of security and performance with SASE

    How to reach the ‘Holy Grail’ of security and performance with SASE

    Organisations today are grappling with seismic shifts in cybercrime over the past few years, with the number and severity of attacks rising sharply.
    Aug 18 2023 5:20PM
    Telstra decides not to sell its InfraCo Fixed business

    Telstra decides not to sell its InfraCo Fixed business

    Mobile remains engine room.
    Richard Chirgwin Aug 17 2023 11:52AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co selects 50Mbps price option unfavoured by Telstra and Optus

    NBN Co selects 50Mbps price option unfavoured by Telstra and Optus

    Selects option with "the broadest support".
    Ry Crozier Aug 16 2023 3:22PM Telco/ISP
    Ventia lands $134m NBN fibre contract

    Ventia lands $134m NBN fibre contract

    Work starts this month.
    Richard Chirgwin Aug 14 2023 10:56AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co misses fibre upgrade target by 42 percent

    NBN Co misses fibre upgrade target by 42 percent

    But says demand is coming.
    Ry Crozier Aug 10 2023 8:56AM Telco/ISP
    NBN price rises could hit at Christmas

    NBN price rises could hit at Christmas

    But are just as likely to push into 2024.
    Ry Crozier Aug 10 2023 6:39AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co, UTS research to "push the capability of fibre"

    NBN Co, UTS research to "push the capability of fibre"

    Via joint research initiative.
    Ry Crozier Aug 2 2023 11:29AM Telco/ISP
    NBN bandwidth freeze pressures internet providers to "acquiesce" on future pricing

    NBN bandwidth freeze pressures internet providers to "acquiesce" on future pricing

    Retailers report financial squeeze.
    Ry Crozier Aug 1 2023 6:52AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co reshuffles digital leadership with Crispin Blackall's exit

    NBN Co reshuffles digital leadership with Crispin Blackall's exit

    After five months in an EGM role.
    Ry Crozier Jul 17 2023 11:58AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co says price optimisation by providers is messing up its demand planning

    NBN Co says price optimisation by providers is messing up its demand planning

    Could also wreak havoc with future revenue projections.
    Ry Crozier Jul 6 2023 5:00PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co's chief operating officer Kathrine Dyer to leave

    NBN Co's chief operating officer Kathrine Dyer to leave

    After nearly 13 years with the company.
    Ry Crozier Jul 5 2023 3:32PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to refine its prices with smaller internet providers in mind

    NBN Co to refine its prices with smaller internet providers in mind

    Frets that larger players may be getting a better deal.
    Ry Crozier Jul 4 2023 6:18AM Telco/ISP

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