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.

    • SA govt pledges $35m fibre expansion to take on NBN Co

    SA govt pledges $35m fibre expansion to take on NBN Co

    Criticises NBN’s 'sub-standard' 100Mbps speeds.
    Ry Crozier Feb 20 2018 2:12PM Telco/ISP
    Vocus sees even less margin from its NBN users

    Vocus sees even less margin from its NBN users

    Revises 1.5 years of numbers.
    Ry Crozier Feb 20 2018 10:37AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co told to expect new service standards

    NBN Co told to expect new service standards

    Before industry consultation even finishes.
    Ry Crozier Feb 19 2018 5:55PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co fixes wireless when users go below 6Mbps peak

    NBN Co fixes wireless when users go below 6Mbps peak

    Updated: Looks for ways to cut lead times.
    Ry Crozier Feb 16 2018 6:00AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra delivers 85 percent of NBN speeds during peak

    Telstra delivers 85 percent of NBN speeds during peak

    More signs the land grab is over?
    Ry Crozier Feb 15 2018 9:27AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co finally breaks out cost of FTTB

    NBN Co finally breaks out cost of FTTB

    Third highest cost per premises.
    Ry Crozier Feb 15 2018 8:49AM Telco/ISP
    Councils yet to get NBN area switch over the line

    Councils yet to get NBN area switch over the line

    Still hope with nine active applications.
    Ry Crozier Feb 14 2018 6:00AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co keeps deploying new HFC despite sales freeze

    NBN Co keeps deploying new HFC despite sales freeze

    Costs rise.
    Ry Crozier Feb 12 2018 5:49PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co 'open' to alternative use of its 5G spectrum

    NBN Co 'open' to alternative use of its 5G spectrum

    Migration costs could be bigger than they appear on paper.
    Ry Crozier Feb 12 2018 11:27AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co expects seven-fold growth in 50Mbps users by June

    NBN Co expects seven-fold growth in 50Mbps users by June

    Abandoning the 25Mbps tier.
    Ry Crozier Feb 12 2018 2:00AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co sees first major CVC increase

    NBN Co sees first major CVC increase

    Coincides with temporary price offer.
    Ry Crozier Feb 8 2018 10:13AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co poaches Telstra business group exec

    NBN Co poaches Telstra business group exec

    And reveals departure of comms chief.
    Ry Crozier Feb 7 2018 10:12AM Telco/ISP
    NBN take-up dips as low as 39 percent

    NBN take-up dips as low as 39 percent

    The search for answers.
    Ry Crozier Feb 7 2018 6:30AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co's 5G spectrum price blown away at auction

    NBN Co's 5G spectrum price blown away at auction

    Confirmed to be below market value.
    Ry Crozier Feb 6 2018 6:45AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co cuts $184m deal for enterprise satellite service

    NBN Co cuts $184m deal for enterprise satellite service

    Backs onto Sky Muster.
    Ry Crozier Feb 5 2018 10:12AM Telco/ISP
    Optus to offer fixed wireless over 5G

    Optus to offer fixed wireless over 5G

    NBN rival?
    Ry Crozier Feb 2 2018 12:01AM Telco/ISP
    Airbnb says Australian internet "will require investment"

    Airbnb says Australian internet "will require investment"

    To stop it from holding us back.
    Ry Crozier Feb 1 2018 9:53AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra was to be offered NBN ops input for cash

    Telstra was to be offered NBN ops input for cash

    Cabinet breach provides view of original NBN assumptions.
    Ry Crozier Jan 31 2018 1:41PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co shelves multicast expansion for fixed network

    NBN Co shelves multicast expansion for fixed network

    Lack of interest.
    Ry Crozier Jan 29 2018 10:00AM Telco/ISP
    NBN retailers show signs of competing on quality

    NBN retailers show signs of competing on quality

    Gap widens in typical peak speeds being reported.
    Ry Crozier Jan 19 2018 6:43AM Telco/ISP

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