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 should be paying some costs for area switches

    NBN Co should be paying some costs for area switches

    New approach suggested for Technology Choice program.
    Ry Crozier Dec 5 2018 6:54AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co's node cabinets turned into things of beauty

    NBN Co's node cabinets turned into things of beauty

    Over 100 in line to be “wrapped”.
    Ry Crozier Nov 30 2018 7:10AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co puts first G.fast capable kerbside kit in the ground

    NBN Co puts first G.fast capable kerbside kit in the ground

    But won't say when the faster speeds will be switched on.
    Ry Crozier Nov 29 2018 10:01AM Telco/ISP
    NBN supplier Tandem at centre of $400m class action vows to defend case

    NBN supplier Tandem at centre of $400m class action vows to defend case

    "Reviewed by relevant regulators with no adverse findings".
    Julian Bajkowski Nov 26 2018 7:00AM Strategy
    $400m sham contracting class action rocks NBN supplier, telco sector

    $400m sham contracting class action rocks NBN supplier, telco sector

    Biggest employment class action ever in Australia.
    Julian Bajkowski Nov 23 2018 12:03PM Financial Services
    NBN fixed wireless issues should be disclosed upfront, says ACCC

    NBN fixed wireless issues should be disclosed upfront, says ACCC

    Marketing changes finally revealed.
    Ry Crozier Nov 21 2018 4:12PM Telco/ISP
    NBN provider Mungi goes into administration

    NBN provider Mungi goes into administration

    Blames inability to achieve scale.
    Ry Crozier Nov 20 2018 4:49PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co urged to move into Layer 3

    NBN Co urged to move into Layer 3

    For satellite and fixed wireless services.
    Ry Crozier Nov 20 2018 10:39AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co looks to business purse for half of ARPU uplift

    NBN Co looks to business purse for half of ARPU uplift

    Won’t raise residential prices to get to $52.
    Ry Crozier Nov 19 2018 10:54AM Telco/ISP
    Greens propose $250m NBN migration assistance fund

    Greens propose $250m NBN migration assistance fund

    To bridge affordability gap.
    Ry Crozier Nov 14 2018 7:00PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co gives first sign its FTTC targets are achievable

    NBN Co gives first sign its FTTC targets are achievable

    As new numbers also show Vodafone’s early NBN success.
    Ry Crozier Nov 13 2018 11:40AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co proposes to unmeter some Sky Muster traffic

    NBN Co proposes to unmeter some Sky Muster traffic

    While allowing services to burst above 25Mbps.
    Ry Crozier Nov 12 2018 9:09AM Telco/ISP
    NBN users may cop speed hit from sub-wholesalers

    NBN users may cop speed hit from sub-wholesalers

    What a direct link to NBN Co could be worth.
    Ry Crozier Nov 5 2018 11:51AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to cull 200 network ops roles

    NBN Co to cull 200 network ops roles

    Exclusive: Partially offset with 100 new positions.
    Ry Crozier Nov 1 2018 5:30PM Networking
    NBN Co staff reap $42.7m in bonus payments

    NBN Co staff reap $42.7m in bonus payments

    But cost increases and delays crimp payouts.
    Ry Crozier Oct 31 2018 2:58PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co will have to face any 5G substitution threat itself

    NBN Co will have to face any 5G substitution threat itself

    Regulator wants to stay out of it.
    Ry Crozier Oct 30 2018 4:39PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co open for enterprise business

    NBN Co open for enterprise business

    Starts taking orders.
    Ry Crozier Oct 30 2018 6:30AM Telco/ISP
    Sweeter Banana Co-op slips up on Sky Muster

    Sweeter Banana Co-op slips up on Sky Muster

    Easier to drive into town with a USB stick and upload data there.
    Ry Crozier Oct 26 2018 12:00PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra wins delay for business copper migration to NBN

    Telstra wins delay for business copper migration to NBN

    ACCC extends Special Services disconnection dates.
    Julian Bajkowski Oct 26 2018 11:55AM Networking
    NBN Co to spend $80m on DOCSIS 3.1 upgrade

    NBN Co to spend $80m on DOCSIS 3.1 upgrade

    'More than offset' by benefits.
    Ry Crozier Oct 24 2018 11:35AM Telco/ISP

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