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.

    • ACCC tells ISPs to ditch maximum speed claims

    ACCC tells ISPs to ditch maximum speed claims

    Publishes how-to guide to advertise internet services.
    Allie Coyne Aug 21 2017 10:48AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to start DOCSIS 3.1 field trials in February

    NBN Co to start DOCSIS 3.1 field trials in February

    After wrapping up lab technology testing.
    Ry Crozier Aug 21 2017 6:01AM Networking
    Telstra plans to sell $5bn in future NBN revenue

    Telstra plans to sell $5bn in future NBN revenue

    Warns future CVC charges will bite.
    Ry Crozier Aug 17 2017 9:55AM Telco/ISP
    NBN chief tells Vodafone to accept prices or walk

    NBN chief tells Vodafone to accept prices or walk

    "No sympathy" for newcomer's complaints.
    Ry Crozier Aug 14 2017 4:25PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to "prioritise" enterprise orders

    NBN Co to "prioritise" enterprise orders

    Chases corporate coin.
    Ry Crozier Aug 14 2017 9:47AM Telco/ISP
    55 NBN lineworkers given the boot

    55 NBN lineworkers given the boot

    Labour hire company makes cuts, union claims.
    Staff Writers Aug 11 2017 3:49PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co reveals 54,000 FTTN users can't get over 25 Mbps

    NBN Co reveals 54,000 FTTN users can't get over 25 Mbps

    Shows speed profiles for copper technology.
    Ry Crozier Aug 11 2017 1:49PM Telco/ISP
    NBN rivals weigh options to deal with broadband tax

    NBN rivals weigh options to deal with broadband tax

    Opinions divided.
    Ry Crozier Aug 11 2017 11:51AM Telco/ISP
    NBN CVC usage climbs as new discounts begin

    NBN CVC usage climbs as new discounts begin

    On the move, but by how much?
    Staff Writers Aug 11 2017 10:55AM Telco/ISP
    Govt drops NBN tax bombshell

    Govt drops NBN tax bombshell

    Consumers would only pay 20c more if enterprise was exempt.
    Ry Crozier Aug 11 2017 6:55AM Telco/ISP
    TPG revises reach of FTTB network

    TPG revises reach of FTTB network

    Future of 500k premises target in doubt.
    Ry Crozier Aug 11 2017 6:22AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to start satellite multicast trials

    NBN Co to start satellite multicast trials

    Distance education tests to go ahead.
    Ry Crozier Aug 7 2017 2:46PM Telco/ISP
    Tracing Telstra's future

    Tracing Telstra's future

    Under siege on multiple fronts, can it emerge victorious?
    Ry Crozier Aug 4 2017 5:00PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co lures Nokia boss to CTO role

    NBN Co lures Nokia boss to CTO role

    Takes on vacant position.
    Allie Coyne Aug 4 2017 1:33PM Strategy
    NBN Co says FTTC dreams thwarted by board, govt

    NBN Co says FTTC dreams thwarted by board, govt

    Questions if remaining FTTN users would wait for an upgrade.
    Ry Crozier Aug 3 2017 6:35AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co looks to raise minimum broadband speeds

    NBN Co looks to raise minimum broadband speeds

    Examines 12Mbps future, Netflix performance guarantees.
    Ry Crozier Aug 2 2017 11:08AM Telco/ISP
    Govt steps in to stop NBN blame game

    Govt steps in to stop NBN blame game

    Demands data from across industry.
    Ry Crozier Aug 1 2017 12:16PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co tests entry into emergency comms

    NBN Co tests entry into emergency comms

    New front in efforts to grow its remit.
    Ry Crozier Aug 1 2017 12:03PM Telco/ISP
    Vodafone says too hard to sell NBN 'quality'

    Vodafone says too hard to sell NBN 'quality'

    Construct confuses customers.
    Ry Crozier Aug 1 2017 10:50AM Telco/ISP
    Vodafone will offer 4G while customers wait for NBN

    Vodafone will offer 4G while customers wait for NBN

    Temporary fixed-like service delivered over mobile network.
    Ry Crozier Aug 1 2017 6:49AM Telco/ISP

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