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.

    • Coalition's NBN cost-benefit study finds in favour of MTM

    Coalition's NBN cost-benefit study finds in favour of MTM

    FTTP costs too much, would take too long.
    Allie Coyne Aug 26 2014 10:04PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co delays copper disconnections in 58 areas

    NBN Co delays copper disconnections in 58 areas

    Some areas pushed back by up to two months.
    Allie Coyne Aug 21 2014 5:45PM Telco/ISP
    Turnbull picks 3.5GHz for metro NBN spectrum gap

    Turnbull picks 3.5GHz for metro NBN spectrum gap

    Works to fix 80,000 premises shortfall.
    Allie Coyne Aug 21 2014 9:31AM Telco/ISP
    iiNet revenue passes $1 billion

    iiNet revenue passes $1 billion

    Attributes return to organic growth after acquisitions.
    Allie Coyne Aug 21 2014 8:57AM Telco/ISP
    Vodafone boss labels NBN payments to Telstra ‘outrageous’

    Vodafone boss labels NBN payments to Telstra ‘outrageous’

    Pushes for 'level playing field'.
    Allie Coyne Aug 20 2014 4:24PM Telco/ISP
    Labor NBN panel member rejects Scales review

    Labor NBN panel member rejects Scales review

    [Opinion] In support of a FTTP NBN.
    Rod Tucker Aug 20 2014 10:58AM Telco/ISP
    Ex NBN Co directors, CEO hit out at KordaMentha review

    Ex NBN Co directors, CEO hit out at KordaMentha review

    Review finds Board lacked "the right mix of skills”.
    Allie Coyne Aug 13 2014 5:02PM Telco/ISP
    Turnbull audit finds Labor's NBN 'rushed, chaotic'

    Turnbull audit finds Labor's NBN 'rushed, chaotic'

    Opposition hits back at reviews 'written by mates'.
    Allie Coyne Aug 5 2014 8:57AM Telco/ISP
    ACCC floats new rules to monitor NBN competition

    ACCC floats new rules to monitor NBN competition

    Acts on RSP concerns over CVC pricing.
    Allie Coyne Aug 4 2014 3:48PM Telco/ISP
    Ericsson bags long-term NBN satellite work

    Ericsson bags long-term NBN satellite work

    Adds $300m LTS bundle to fixed wireless contract.
    Allie Coyne Jul 30 2014 12:39PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co sets September FTTP service date for TPG areas

    NBN Co sets September FTTP service date for TPG areas

    Product to go live in two months.
    Allie Coyne Jul 28 2014 4:19PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co offers new satellite service for remote users

    NBN Co offers new satellite service for remote users

    IPstar to wholesale broadband.
    Juha Saarinen Jul 22 2014 6:43AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co loses $200m pricing dispute with Telstra

    NBN Co loses $200m pricing dispute with Telstra

    Supreme Court rules in favour of Telstra.
    Allie Coyne Jul 17 2014 11:00AM Telco/ISP
    Govt fails to win votes for NBN committee restructure

    Govt fails to win votes for NBN committee restructure

    Delays motion until next sitting session.
    Allie Coyne Jul 17 2014 6:39AM Telco/ISP
    Rein in ACCC, let NBN Co discriminate: Vertigan report

    Rein in ACCC, let NBN Co discriminate: Vertigan report

    Statutory review seeks change to competition law.
    Juha Saarinen Jul 17 2014 5:25AM Telco/ISP
    Coalition MPs kill FTTP bill for Tasmania

    Coalition MPs kill FTTP bill for Tasmania

    Committee split.
    Allie Coyne Jul 16 2014 6:34PM Telco/ISP
    Libs move to restructure NBN senate committee

    Libs move to restructure NBN senate committee

    Update: Want to overturn Labor, Greens majority.
    Allie Coyne Jul 16 2014 11:45AM Telco/ISP
    Slow progress in Turnbullistan

    Slow progress in Turnbullistan

    [Blog post] How has the NBN moved ahead since regime change?
    David Havyatt Jul 11 2014 6:22AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co inks $150m Telstra FTTN deal

    NBN Co inks $150m Telstra FTTN deal

    Rents access to copper.
    Allie Coyne Jun 26 2014 9:06AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co renews Service Stream field services delivery contract

    NBN Co renews Service Stream field services delivery contract

    Contractor expects revenue of $140 million.
    Allie Coyne Jun 12 2014 9:37AM Telco/ISP

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