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 considers extra charges for regional satellite users

    NBN considers extra charges for regional satellite users

    Costs for missed appointments, late cancellations.
    Allie Coyne May 4 2015 11:39AM Telco/ISP
    TPG beats NBN in court case over FTTB

    TPG beats NBN in court case over FTTB

    Telco can legally access and draw power from existing sockets.
    Allie Coyne Apr 28 2015 2:38PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co ditches the 'co' from name

    NBN Co ditches the 'co' from name

    Rebranding sees name change to 'NBN'.
    Allie Coyne Apr 24 2015 4:31PM Strategy
    NBN Co reveals active service dates for 1000-node trial sites

    NBN Co reveals active service dates for 1000-node trial sites

    First regions to go live in September.
    Allie Coyne Apr 21 2015 2:13PM Telco/ISP
    Optus considers breaking net neutrality in Australia

    Optus considers breaking net neutrality in Australia

    May charge Netflix, OTT providers for premium service.
    Andrew Colley Apr 20 2015 11:52AM Telco/ISP
    Defence radar could interfere with NBN

    Defence radar could interfere with NBN

    Fixed wireless rollout hits a snag.
    Ry Crozier Apr 2 2015 6:45AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co expands rollout by 550k

    NBN Co expands rollout by 550k

    Work to start by September 2016.
    Allie Coyne Apr 1 2015 7:41AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co releases FTTB product for sale

    NBN Co releases FTTB product for sale

    One million premises to receive fibre-to-the-basement.
    Allie Coyne Mar 31 2015 6:00AM Telco/ISP
    Govt seeks to limit Telstra advantage in NBN Co data flows

    Govt seeks to limit Telstra advantage in NBN Co data flows

    New licence condition for NBN Co proposed.
    Allie Coyne Mar 24 2015 9:47AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co trials HFC, promises upgrade to fibre speeds

    NBN Co trials HFC, promises upgrade to fibre speeds

    Cable technology upgrade planned for 2017.
    Juha Saarinen Mar 13 2015 6:46AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co reveals costs for users to switch to fibre

    NBN Co reveals costs for users to switch to fibre

    Individuals to pay thousands, groups could pay millions.
    Allie Coyne Mar 12 2015 10:44PM Telco/ISP
    TPG offers $45 monthly wholesale FTTB package

    TPG offers $45 monthly wholesale FTTB package

    Opts against Layer 2 product initially.
    Allie Coyne Mar 12 2015 6:40AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra set to lose fight for 7 percent wholesale price hike

    Telstra set to lose fight for 7 percent wholesale price hike

    ACCC draft ruling mulls price drop.
    Allie Coyne Mar 11 2015 9:30AM Telco/ISP
    Cost of telco services falls while NBN plan prices rise

    Cost of telco services falls while NBN plan prices rise

    Customers search for bigger data caps.
    Allie Coyne Mar 6 2015 9:07AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co losses climb as rollout steps up

    NBN Co losses climb as rollout steps up

    Broadly on track to meet fiscal year targets.
    Allie Coyne Feb 26 2015 12:09PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co signs $400m HFC deal with Arris

    NBN Co signs $400m HFC deal with Arris

    Faster speeds promised.
    Allie Coyne Feb 23 2015 8:56AM Telco/ISP
    TPG puts FTTB plan back on sale

    TPG puts FTTB plan back on sale

    Offers $70 monthly bundle.
    Allie Coyne Feb 19 2015 1:28PM Telco/ISP
    Blood tests sent to NBN Co to thwart tower plans

    Blood tests sent to NBN Co to thwart tower plans

    Testing liability for health trends.
    Ry Crozier Feb 17 2015 6:40AM Telco/ISP
    Aussie study aims to capture true value of public wi-fi

    Aussie study aims to capture true value of public wi-fi

    Will a toned-down NBN force local communities to innovate?
    Paris Cowan Jan 23 2015 12:29PM Telco/ISP
    Optus, iiNet concerned at 'relaxed' NBN infosec rules

    Optus, iiNet concerned at 'relaxed' NBN infosec rules

    Ring fencing round two.
    Ry Crozier Jan 20 2015 11:59AM Telco/ISP

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