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.

    • NBN Co to bring skinny fibre to new estates in 2017

    NBN Co to bring skinny fibre to new estates in 2017

    Readies greenfields for MTM.
    Ry Crozier Dec 14 2016 4:25PM Telco/ISP
    The NBN has cost Australia $8.8bn in net worth

    The NBN has cost Australia $8.8bn in net worth

    PBO reveals impact on bottom line.
    Allie Coyne Dec 14 2016 10:19AM Telco/ISP
    TPG forced to reveal FTTB business model

    TPG forced to reveal FTTB business model

    Amid deep distrust over how telco operates.
    Ry Crozier Dec 13 2016 12:00PM Telco/ISP
    'NBN tax' will slug consumers with higher broadband prices

    'NBN tax' will slug consumers with higher broadband prices

    New scheme to fund satellite, wireless costs.
    Allie Coyne Dec 12 2016 3:43PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co says it's still too early for MTM operating costs

    NBN Co says it's still too early for MTM operating costs

    Attempts to calculate now would be “misleading”.
    Ry Crozier Dec 8 2016 12:00PM Telco/ISP
    NBN hits snag in FTTdp adoption

    NBN hits snag in FTTdp adoption

    Broadband users could be seen by law as electricity suppliers.
    Ry Crozier Dec 8 2016 6:30AM Telco/ISP
    TPG shares soar after Teoh reassures investors

    TPG shares soar after Teoh reassures investors

    Will rely on infrastructure, mobile to combat low NBN margins.
    Allie Coyne Dec 7 2016 2:47PM Telco/ISP
    AFP likely to be blocked from accessing seized NBN documents

    AFP likely to be blocked from accessing seized NBN documents

    Committee recommends parliamentary privilege.
    Allie Coyne Nov 28 2016 5:08PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra failing to plug earnings hole with new investments

    Telstra failing to plug earnings hole with new investments

    Expansions yet to pay off.
    Staff Writers Nov 28 2016 1:54PM Telco/ISP
    Switkowski argues op-ed didn't breach caretaker rules

    Switkowski argues op-ed didn't breach caretaker rules

    Faces grilling from parliamentary committee.
    Andrew Colley Nov 25 2016 12:33PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co moved an FTTN cabinet after users asked to connect

    NBN Co moved an FTTN cabinet after users asked to connect

    Physical relocation deemed better than altering footprint.
    Ry Crozier Nov 23 2016 6:40AM Telco/ISP
    Switkowski to front NBN committee over op-ed

    Switkowski to front NBN committee over op-ed

    Will be grilled over breach of caretaker conventions.
    Andrew Colley Nov 22 2016 10:00AM Telco/ISP
    The govt will loan NBN Co $20bn to finish rollout

    The govt will loan NBN Co $20bn to finish rollout

    Cash will prevent looming shortfall.
    Allie Coyne Nov 18 2016 12:31PM Telco/ISP
    NBN passes 1 million FTTN/B premises

    NBN passes 1 million FTTN/B premises

    MTM rollout grows.
    Allie Coyne Nov 8 2016 10:02AM Telco/ISP
    Singapore ISP MyRepublic, Foxtel jump on NBN

    Singapore ISP MyRepublic, Foxtel jump on NBN

    Eye opportunity in burgeoning market.
    Juha Saarinen Nov 4 2016 4:45AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co eyes Salesforce expansion

    NBN Co eyes Salesforce expansion

    Year-old deployment grows wings.
    Ry Crozier Oct 27 2016 11:58AM Software
    NBN Co reveals ambition to become IoT player

    NBN Co reveals ambition to become IoT player

    Wants govt to expand remit to connect traffic lights, run IT services.
    Ry Crozier Oct 21 2016 12:00PM Telco/ISP
    Vodafone to sell NBN fixed-line services

    Vodafone to sell NBN fixed-line services

    Latest provider to switch from being a mobile-only player.
    Ry Crozier Oct 19 2016 1:41PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co hits 8 Gbps over copper in XG.FAST trials

    NBN Co hits 8 Gbps over copper in XG.FAST trials

    Early-stage tech put through lab tests.
    Juha Saarinen Oct 18 2016 7:17AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co signs up to Facebook's Workplace

    NBN Co signs up to Facebook's Workplace

    Most staff already using the social business platform.
    Allie Coyne Oct 11 2016 3:02PM Telco/ISP

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