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.

    • Optus to handle NBN satellite operations

    Optus to handle NBN satellite operations

    Multi-year deal secured.
    Ry Crozier Feb 3 2014 1:01AM Telco/ISP
    Hackett brings social equity focus to NBN Co

    Hackett brings social equity focus to NBN Co

    Urges community benefit outlook.
    Ry Crozier Jan 29 2014 12:42PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co's fibre "ramp-up" is pure fantasy

    NBN Co's fibre "ramp-up" is pure fantasy

    [Blog post] The numbers say a slowdown, so why can't NBN Co?
    Ry Crozier Jan 29 2014 6:31AM Telco/ISP
    iiNet, Internode steer clear of NBN agreement

    iiNet, Internode steer clear of NBN agreement

    Telstra and Optus sign, but major player holds out.
    Ry Crozier Jan 16 2014 12:43PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co turns corner in SA fibre rollout

    NBN Co turns corner in SA fibre rollout

    Erases memory of delays.
    Ry Crozier Jan 16 2014 6:45AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co reveals mobile backhaul trial

    NBN Co reveals mobile backhaul trial

    Can a residential fibre network be repurposed?
    Ry Crozier Jan 13 2014 6:55AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co pulls interim satellite from sale

    NBN Co pulls interim satellite from sale

    Service full.
    Ry Crozier Jan 9 2014 2:08PM Telco/ISP
    NSW Central Coast eyes NBN fibre 'pilot' status

    NSW Central Coast eyes NBN fibre 'pilot' status

    Seeks Turnbull's support.
    Ry Crozier Jan 8 2014 11:22AM Telco/ISP
    ACCC demands Telstra offer faster outage notices

    ACCC demands Telstra offer faster outage notices

    The NBN 'pull through' hullabaloo rages on.
    Brett Winterford Dec 20 2013 4:25PM Telco/ISP
    Visionstream's vote of confidence in NBN execs

    Visionstream's vote of confidence in NBN execs

    Civil works put to tender to get fibre rollout back on track.
    Ry Crozier Dec 18 2013 11:00AM Telco/ISP
    Ludlam accuses NBN Co of 'brazen guesswork'

    Ludlam accuses NBN Co of 'brazen guesswork'

    Redacted cost inputs cause headaches.
    Ry Crozier Dec 18 2013 6:48AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to bring fibre-like uplink speeds to copper

    NBN Co to bring fibre-like uplink speeds to copper

    Don't count on a 50Mbps downlink for a while.
    Ry Crozier Dec 18 2013 6:40AM Telco/ISP
    Hockey pulls money out of research and innovation

    Hockey pulls money out of research and innovation

    NBN-related grants cut in MYEFO statement.
    Paris Cowan Dec 17 2013 1:56PM Training & Development
    Ziggy won't commit to Coalition NBN speed guarantee

    Ziggy won't commit to Coalition NBN speed guarantee

    'Impossible' promise broken.
    Ry Crozier Dec 17 2013 1:50PM Telco/ISP
    Inside NBN Co's 108Mbps apartment block test

    Inside NBN Co's 108Mbps apartment block test

    The technical details.
    Ry Crozier Dec 17 2013 6:43AM Telco/ISP
    Chorus audit causes more FTTP unrest

    Chorus audit causes more FTTP unrest

    A billion dollars short or not?
    Juha Saarinen Dec 16 2013 5:21PM Telco/ISP
    Hackett promises fast HFC for NBN

    Hackett promises fast HFC for NBN

    Telstra and Optus networks to be upgraded.
    Juha Saarinen Dec 16 2013 6:30AM Telco/ISP
    NBN service terms finally get green light

    NBN service terms finally get green light

    Competition regulator approves revised SAU text.
    Allie Coyne Dec 13 2013 9:57AM Telco/ISP
    NZ ISPs and telcos standardise product info

    NZ ISPs and telcos standardise product info

    To feature independent broadband performance testing.
    Juha Saarinen Dec 13 2013 7:06AM Telco/ISP
    1Gbps over copper standard fast-tracked

    1Gbps over copper standard fast-tracked

    Gear to appear in 2015.
    Juha Saarinen Dec 13 2013 6:58AM Telco/ISP

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