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.

    • 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
    Launtel asks NBN Co to revisit higher upload plan prices

    Launtel asks NBN Co to revisit higher upload plan prices

    Wants them made more affordable.
    Ry Crozier Jun 29 2023 11:32AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co plan to axe national bandwidth pool finds little backing

    NBN Co plan to axe national bandwidth pool finds little backing

    Telstra, Vocus, Optus, Aussie Broadband, TPG all against it.
    Ry Crozier Jun 28 2023 11:58AM Telco/ISP
    Optus accuses NBN Co of indefinitely delaying line remediation

    Optus accuses NBN Co of indefinitely delaying line remediation

    Until mass overbuild program reaches customer.
    Ry Crozier Jun 28 2023 6:01AM Telco/ISP
    TPG says NBN price rises show a company under no competitive pressure

    TPG says NBN price rises show a company under no competitive pressure

    Renews push for infrastructure-based competition.
    Ry Crozier Jun 22 2023 5:07PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to formally assess LEO satellite services

    NBN Co to formally assess LEO satellite services

    Requests information from providers.
    Ry Crozier Jun 14 2023 6:22AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra, Optus fail to negotiate any service improvements with NBN Co

    Telstra, Optus fail to negotiate any service improvements with NBN Co

    As service quality issues with the network boil over.
    Ry Crozier Jun 13 2023 7:02AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co offers price 'ceiling' for 50Mbps

    NBN Co offers price 'ceiling' for 50Mbps

    Still wants bandwidth-hungry users to upgrade to 100Mbps.
    Ry Crozier Jun 6 2023 10:51AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co is making satellite-to-fibre upgrades

    NBN Co is making satellite-to-fibre upgrades

    In "isolated areas".
    Ry Crozier May 25 2023 6:53AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to use analytics platform to tackle energy use

    NBN Co to use analytics platform to tackle energy use

    Looks to reduce consumption and bills.
    Ry Crozier May 11 2023 6:59AM Software
    NBN Co asks ISPs to "manage" heavy 50Mbps users up to higher plans

    NBN Co asks ISPs to "manage" heavy 50Mbps users up to higher plans

    Having more devices linked to willingness to pay.
    Ry Crozier May 3 2023 6:54AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co's planned price and service standards face rejection, again

    NBN Co's planned price and service standards face rejection, again

    Process drags on.
    Ry Crozier May 2 2023 11:03AM Telco/ISP

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