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.

    • Vodafone worried that NBN will stunt 5G

    Vodafone worried that NBN will stunt 5G

    Wants ‘serious’ review of fixed wireless spectrum.
    Ry Crozier Apr 10 2017 1:39PM Telco/ISP
    SBS calls for unmetered access over NBN

    SBS calls for unmetered access over NBN

    Seeks government mandate.
    Ry Crozier Apr 10 2017 11:44AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co quietly starts trials connecting traffic lights

    NBN Co quietly starts trials connecting traffic lights

    Moves ahead with controversial bid to stretch its remit.
    Ry Crozier Apr 4 2017 6:50AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co brings 100/40Mbps speed tier to fixed wireless

    NBN Co brings 100/40Mbps speed tier to fixed wireless

    Prices yet to be determined.
    Andrew Colley Mar 30 2017 1:57PM Telco/ISP
    The 4013 urban premises to receive NBN satellite

    The 4013 urban premises to receive NBN satellite

    Exclusive: City areas shunted onto Sky Muster.
    Ry Crozier Mar 30 2017 6:45AM Telco/ISP
    AFP loses access to seized NBN documents

    AFP loses access to seized NBN documents

    Conroy's parliamentary privilege claim upheld.
    Allie Coyne Mar 29 2017 7:44AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co can't muddy SAU with open-ended clauses

    NBN Co can't muddy SAU with open-ended clauses

    ACCC intends to reject plan.
    Ry Crozier Mar 28 2017 12:13PM Telco/ISP
    NT govt blasts NBN Sky Muster service

    NT govt blasts NBN Sky Muster service

    Slow to install, slow to use.
    Ry Crozier Mar 27 2017 11:40AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co is leaving complex premises for last

    NBN Co is leaving complex premises for last

    Drive to inflate numbers could leave some waiting for years.
    Allie Coyne Mar 24 2017 3:26PM Telco/ISP
    TIO can't break down NBN complaints by access tech

    TIO can't break down NBN complaints by access tech

    Not its role ‘to supervise the rollout’.
    Ry Crozier Mar 24 2017 11:47AM Telco/ISP
    TPG reverses brief iiNet customer exodus

    TPG reverses brief iiNet customer exodus

    Records strong growth in NBN, FTTB connections.
    Ry Crozier Mar 21 2017 9:30AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co assembles crack team to tackle Sky Muster issues

    NBN Co assembles crack team to tackle Sky Muster issues

    Unveils major drive for new engineering and architecture talent.
    Ry Crozier Mar 20 2017 11:42AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co puts initial FTTC cost at $2800 per premises

    NBN Co puts initial FTTC cost at $2800 per premises

    Defers major expansion until after 2020.
    Ry Crozier Mar 8 2017 6:01AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to join Telstra, CBA in automation drive

    NBN Co to join Telstra, CBA in automation drive

    Adopts zero-based design, robotic process automation.
    Ry Crozier Mar 6 2017 4:00PM Strategy
    Exclusive: NBN Co's three-year construction plan

    Exclusive: NBN Co's three-year construction plan

    Reconstructed plan reveals FTTN backflips and more.
    Ry Crozier Mar 6 2017 6:45AM Telco/ISP
    Why a new three-year NBN plan was needed

    Why a new three-year NBN plan was needed

    [Opinion] Why is it acceptable to invest more but get less detail?
    Ry Crozier Mar 6 2017 6:42AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co starts replacing FTTN in network rollout

    NBN Co starts replacing FTTN in network rollout

    Moves premises into newer FTTC footprint.
    Ry Crozier Mar 6 2017 6:39AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co masters the fixed-to-wireless flip

    NBN Co masters the fixed-to-wireless flip

    Promised FTTN, given fixed wireless.
    Ry Crozier Mar 6 2017 6:36AM Telco/ISP
    How NBN Co's internal cross-subsidy for regional Oz was botched

    How NBN Co's internal cross-subsidy for regional Oz was botched

    [Opinion] But will a new tax fix it?
    Ry Crozier Mar 6 2017 6:33AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co adds 2.6m premises into construction schedule

    NBN Co adds 2.6m premises into construction schedule

    At least one million new premises given ‘availability’ dates.
    Ry Crozier Mar 6 2017 6:30AM Telco/ISP

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