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.

    • Telcos draft industry code to improve copper broadband performance

    Telcos draft industry code to improve copper broadband performance

    Providers to co-operate for deployments.
    Juha Saarinen Nov 9 2017 10:30AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra will compensate 42,000 users for slow NBN speeds

    Telstra will compensate 42,000 users for slow NBN speeds

    FTTN, FTTB customers misled.
    Allie Coyne Nov 8 2017 9:18AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co goes on management hiring spree

    NBN Co goes on management hiring spree

    Unveils plans to recruit 12 exec and general managers.
    Ry Crozier Nov 8 2017 6:50AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co readies 1Gbps enterprise Ethernet service

    NBN Co readies 1Gbps enterprise Ethernet service

    Will hit the market end of next year.
    Juha Saarinen Nov 6 2017 7:15AM Telco/ISP
    Cockatoos gnaw spare NBN cables on towers

    Cockatoos gnaw spare NBN cables on towers

    $10,000 replacement on each discovery.
    Staff Writers Nov 3 2017 12:40PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co will stay off federal budget books

    NBN Co will stay off federal budget books

    Profit warnings won't trigger a review.
    Ry Crozier Nov 3 2017 6:40AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra reviews its NBN CVC consumption weekly

    Telstra reviews its NBN CVC consumption weekly

    Relies on modem telemetry to manage service quality.
    Ry Crozier Nov 2 2017 3:56PM Telco/ISP
    ACCC to scrutinise standard of NBN's wholesale services

    ACCC to scrutinise standard of NBN's wholesale services

    End to the blame game once and for all?
    Allie Coyne Nov 2 2017 11:38AM Telco/ISP
    ACCC casts doubt on future NBN profits

    ACCC casts doubt on future NBN profits

    Lays out three 'medium term' options for govt.
    Ry Crozier Oct 30 2017 12:26PM Telco/ISP
    Exetel to offer NBN-like mobile service

    Exetel to offer NBN-like mobile service

    Underpinned by Optus.
    Ry Crozier Oct 30 2017 10:39AM Telco/ISP
    NBN, mobile blackspots could face legal challenge

    NBN, mobile blackspots could face legal challenge

    Labor advice questions validity of decisions.
    Ry Crozier Oct 30 2017 10:23AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co strikes Defence connectivity deal

    NBN Co strikes Defence connectivity deal

    Upgrades links to 'non-operational' on-base premises.
    Ry Crozier Oct 27 2017 6:01AM Telco/ISP
    TIO rejigs to better handle NBN complaints

    TIO rejigs to better handle NBN complaints

    Adopts call by joint parliamentary inquiry.
    Ry Crozier Oct 25 2017 10:17AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co leaves speeds data release to RSPs

    NBN Co leaves speeds data release to RSPs

    Won’t release stats itself.
    Ry Crozier Oct 25 2017 8:53AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co looks to launch uncongested 50Mbps service

    NBN Co looks to launch uncongested 50Mbps service

    Will confirm details before end of the year.
    Ry Crozier Oct 25 2017 6:45AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co turns to G.fast to entice business

    NBN Co turns to G.fast to entice business

    Higher-speed FTTC/B connections.
    Ry Crozier Oct 25 2017 6:01AM Telco/ISP
    Vocus targets 10 percent of all NBN users

    Vocus targets 10 percent of all NBN users

    Tries to 'insulate' itself against backhaul costs.
    Ry Crozier Oct 24 2017 10:48AM Telco/ISP
    Govt looks to courts to salvage NBN model

    Govt looks to courts to salvage NBN model

    Analysis: Shuts down most other options.
    Ry Crozier Oct 23 2017 8:00PM Telco/ISP
    NBN CEO casts doubt on ability to turn profit

    NBN CEO casts doubt on ability to turn profit

    Analysis: Your move, government.
    Ry Crozier Oct 23 2017 6:55AM Telco/ISP
    NBN complaints more than double in a year

    NBN complaints more than double in a year

    As telcos undo four years of gains.
    Ry Crozier Oct 18 2017 6:26AM Telco/ISP

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