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.

    • Massive NBN Co push to flip a million unserviceable premises

    Massive NBN Co push to flip a million unserviceable premises

    By the end of June.
    Ry Crozier Feb 28 2019 6:30AM Telco/ISP
    Vodafone Australia joins the low-margin NBN club

    Vodafone Australia joins the low-margin NBN club

    But says it’s imperative to make the national network workable.
    Ry Crozier Feb 27 2019 5:39PM Telco/ISP
    Vocus won't actively pursue more consumer NBN services

    Vocus won't actively pursue more consumer NBN services

    Calls it "economically unattractive".
    Ry Crozier Feb 27 2019 9:25AM Telco/ISP
    Second NBN supplier scoped for sham contracting class action

    Second NBN supplier scoped for sham contracting class action

    Foxtel, Optus technical subcontractor BSA under Shine microscope.
    Julian Bajkowski Feb 22 2019 12:01PM Networking
    NBN Co faces calls to endorse good quality modems

    NBN Co faces calls to endorse good quality modems

    After internal tests uncovered dud devices.
    Ry Crozier Feb 20 2019 10:59AM Networking
    NBN Co plans four-month HFC blitz

    NBN Co plans four-month HFC blitz

    Releasing up to 200,000 premises a month to sale.
    Ry Crozier Feb 20 2019 7:28AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co wants a broadband product to attract renters

    NBN Co wants a broadband product to attract renters

    Hits back at mobile operators eating its lunch.
    Ry Crozier Feb 19 2019 10:55PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co's actual cost per premises for FTTC is $3058

    NBN Co's actual cost per premises for FTTC is $3058

    As questions remain over feasibility of build targets.
    Ry Crozier Feb 18 2019 11:19AM Telco/ISP
    Uniti Wireless raises $13.2m in IPO

    Uniti Wireless raises $13.2m in IPO

    Set to expand reach of its 'NBN alternative' services.
    Ry Crozier Feb 13 2019 12:03PM Telco/ISP
    NBN 12Mbps plan sellers come under scrutiny

    NBN 12Mbps plan sellers come under scrutiny

    As competition watchdog takes a keen interest in performance.
    Ry Crozier Feb 12 2019 10:38AM Telco/ISP
    Aussie Broadband predicts long wait for affordable gigabit speeds

    Aussie Broadband predicts long wait for affordable gigabit speeds

    Backs calls for NBN writedown.
    Ry Crozier Feb 11 2019 2:51PM Telco/ISP
    ACCC puts blame for slow NBN speed squarely on FTTN

    ACCC puts blame for slow NBN speed squarely on FTTN

    Seeks action.
    Ry Crozier Feb 6 2019 11:29AM Telco/ISP
    Optus unveils an NBN-like 50Mbps-plus wireless service

    Optus unveils an NBN-like 50Mbps-plus wireless service

    With unlimited data quota.
    Ry Crozier Jan 31 2019 10:19AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co finds its new CFO

    NBN Co finds its new CFO

    Replacing Stephen Rue after he shifted to CEO.
    Ry Crozier Jan 30 2019 10:58AM Telco/ISP
    Vodafone gets on board with typical peak NBN speeds

    Vodafone gets on board with typical peak NBN speeds

    As some TPG group numbers fall.
    Ry Crozier Jan 28 2019 6:55AM Telco/ISP
    IPstar delivered NBN services go offline

    IPstar delivered NBN services go offline

    NBN Co says no, satellite services are stable.
    Juha Saarinen Jan 25 2019 4:00PM Telco/ISP
    Australian farmers are battling to make IoT work

    Australian farmers are battling to make IoT work

    AgTech is being put through its paces - and the results aren’t pretty.
    Ry Crozier Jan 24 2019 7:00AM Networking
    Woolworths to run its retail sites on NBN fibre

    Woolworths to run its retail sites on NBN fibre

    Deal struck through existing connectivity supplier Telstra.
    Ry Crozier Jan 23 2019 2:13PM Telco/ISP
    'Overcharged' NBN FTTN and FTTB users unresponsive

    'Overcharged' NBN FTTN and FTTB users unresponsive

    Most don’t reply to letter or email offering internet plan fixes.
    Ry Crozier Jan 23 2019 10:05AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co makes move to sell more 100Mbps-plus services

    NBN Co makes move to sell more 100Mbps-plus services

    Offers temporary $160 rebate.
    Ry Crozier Jan 21 2019 3:19PM Telco/ISP

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