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.

    • Telstra worried NBN may stray into 'adjacent' telco businesses

    Telstra worried NBN may stray into 'adjacent' telco businesses

    Raises issues with proposed regulations.
    Andrew Colley Feb 5 2016 3:27PM Telco/ISP
    NBN revenue climbs, boosted by FTTP

    NBN revenue climbs, boosted by FTTP

    ARPU growth also contributes to revenue surge.
    Andrew Sadauskas Feb 5 2016 12:09PM Telco/ISP
    Outrage as govt suggests fibre carriers 'may' cut corners

    Outrage as govt suggests fibre carriers 'may' cut corners

    New regulations slipped out before Christmas.
    Ry Crozier Feb 3 2016 4:30PM Telco/ISP
    NBN to trial satellite with 200 regional Vic users

    NBN to trial satellite with 200 regional Vic users

    Will not allow metro customers to pay for satellite.
    Ry Crozier Feb 2 2016 1:36PM Telco/ISP
    NBN given new migration rules for service class zero premises

    NBN given new migration rules for service class zero premises

    Policy aims to stop customers being stranded.
    Andrew Sadauskas Feb 1 2016 11:56AM Telco/ISP
    NBN puts mobile tower backhaul on fast-track

    NBN puts mobile tower backhaul on fast-track

    Commercial launch expected within months.
    Ry Crozier Jan 28 2016 4:56PM Telco/ISP
    NBN trials HFC construction in 17 suburbs

    NBN trials HFC construction in 17 suburbs

    Customers can’t use connections to access the network.
    Andrew Sadauskas Jan 18 2016 6:50AM Telco/ISP
    Optus warns against NBN mission creep

    Optus warns against NBN mission creep

    Opposes network builder expanding its business activity.
    Andrew Colley Jan 15 2016 12:18PM Telco/ISP
    ABS digital stats review could reveal NBN risks

    ABS digital stats review could reveal NBN risks

    May fill crucial gaps in broadband market intelligence.
    Andrew Colley Jan 15 2016 6:05AM Telco/ISP
    NBN exceeds FY16 activation targets

    NBN exceeds FY16 activation targets

    But telco economists remain wary.
    Andrew Colley Jan 13 2016 6:22AM Telco/ISP
    Communications Dept gets a new chief

    Communications Dept gets a new chief

    Dr Heather Smith replaces Drew Clarke.
    Staff Writers Jan 12 2016 1:17PM Strategy
    NBN to pay Telstra to fix telco's copper network

    NBN to pay Telstra to fix telco's copper network

    Pair also sign MoU for HFC.
    Allie Coyne Dec 21 2015 9:07AM Telco/ISP
    Optus slugged $51,000 over 'NBN-like speeds' claim

    Optus slugged $51,000 over 'NBN-like speeds' claim

    Cable internet claims found to be misleading.
    Andrew Sadauskas Dec 17 2015 10:16AM Telco/ISP
    NBN hires new networks boss

    NBN hires new networks boss

    Greg Adcock's replacement named.
    Allie Coyne Dec 16 2015 10:17AM Telco/ISP
    NBN shifts 40k premises off satellite to offer more data

    NBN shifts 40k premises off satellite to offer more data

    Wants to avoid congestion issues on long-term satellite.
    Allie Coyne Dec 14 2015 1:00PM Telco/ISP
    NBN offers faster fixed wireless

    NBN offers faster fixed wireless

    50/20 product launches.
    Allie Coyne Dec 7 2015 6:00AM Telco/ISP
    NBN facing massive copper remediation bill

    NBN facing massive copper remediation bill

    Updated: leaked documents reveal tenfold increase in cost.
    Allie Coyne Dec 3 2015 7:23AM Telco/ISP
    NBN to trial discounts for ISPs with heavy users

    NBN to trial discounts for ISPs with heavy users

    Exclusive: Testing a change to contentious pricing model.
    Allie Coyne Nov 27 2015 9:04AM Telco/ISP
    NBN considering overbuilding dodgy $800m Optus cable

    NBN considering overbuilding dodgy $800m Optus cable

    Finds network not fit for purpose.
    Allie Coyne , Andrew Sadauskas Nov 25 2015 2:56PM Telco/ISP
    Australia needs to have a conversation about net neutrality: NBN chairman

    Australia needs to have a conversation about net neutrality: NBN chairman

    Issue "amplified" by 4K video and network investment costs.
    Andrew Sadauskas Nov 18 2015 12:41PM Telco/ISP

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