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.

    • Coffs Harbour residents test NBN's impact

    Coffs Harbour residents test NBN's impact

    Join Brunswick as case study for high-speed internet use.
    Ry Crozier Dec 9 2013 10:44AM Telco/ISP
    Quigley stands up to Turnbull's war of words

    Quigley stands up to Turnbull's war of words

    Deposed execs had the skills, were 'impeded'.
    Ry Crozier Dec 3 2013 5:14PM Telco/ISP
    Labor calls on Turnbull to lay out FTTN costs

    Labor calls on Turnbull to lay out FTTN costs

    Before making 'weighty decisions'.
    Ry Crozier Dec 2 2013 1:10PM Telco/ISP
    VDSL2 vectoring recreates telco monopoly

    VDSL2 vectoring recreates telco monopoly

    [Opinion] Turn down the noise.
    Juha Saarinen Dec 2 2013 6:55AM Telco/ISP
    Ziggy brands 2016 NBN deadline 'demanding'

    Ziggy brands 2016 NBN deadline 'demanding'

    Thousands of nodes a week required.
    Juha Saarinen Nov 29 2013 12:21PM Telco/ISP
    NZ fibre-to-the-premises network faces funding crisis

    NZ fibre-to-the-premises network faces funding crisis

    Regulator's copper cost chop stands.
    Juha Saarinen Nov 29 2013 6:59AM Telco/ISP
    Photos: The 10 moods of Stephen Conroy

    Photos: The 10 moods of Stephen Conroy

    Fresh into opposition and relishing every minute. The best of three hours of Senate hearings on the NBN, condensed into 10 frames.
    Staff Writers Nov 29 2013 6:55AM Telco/ISP
    Senate compels NBN Co execs to front committee

    Senate compels NBN Co execs to front committee

    'Reluctant to appear'.
    Ry Crozier Nov 27 2013 4:56PM Telco/ISP
    ACMA tries to overrule ISPs on battery back-up

    ACMA tries to overrule ISPs on battery back-up

    Not in favour of self-regulatory model.
    Andrew Colley Nov 26 2013 4:01PM Telco/ISP
    FTTP NBN supporters lobby Turnbull

    FTTP NBN supporters lobby Turnbull

    Hand over petition.
    Staff Writers Nov 26 2013 11:45AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co agrees to varied SAU

    NBN Co agrees to varied SAU

    Two-year drawn-out process nears end.
    Allie Coyne Nov 20 2013 12:27PM Telco/ISP
    NBN chief puts brakes on FTTN upgrade path

    NBN chief puts brakes on FTTN upgrade path

    Don't expect one for a decade.
    Ry Crozier Nov 20 2013 6:18AM Telco/ISP
    iiNet mulls moving NBN satellite users onto 3G, 4G

    iiNet mulls moving NBN satellite users onto 3G, 4G

    Interim service 'too slow'.
    Ry Crozier Nov 18 2013 1:12PM Telco/ISP
    Inside Alcatel-Lucent's bid to keep its NBN contracts

    Inside Alcatel-Lucent's bid to keep its NBN contracts

    Big guns brought in to lay out strategy to NBN Co.
    Ry Crozier Nov 18 2013 6:55AM Telco/ISP
    Senate, Turnbull duel for NBN oversight

    Senate, Turnbull duel for NBN oversight

    Committees at ten paces.
    Ry Crozier Nov 14 2013 9:33PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co's TransACT fibre buy gets green light

    NBN Co's TransACT fibre buy gets green light

    ACCC approves $9 million deal.
    Staff Writers Nov 14 2013 5:38PM Networking
    Hackett, Flannigan, Milne join NBN Co board

    Hackett, Flannigan, Milne join NBN Co board

    Former head of construction returns, Hackett resigns from iiNet.
    Allie Coyne Nov 12 2013 11:43AM Telco/ISP
    Video: Turnbull shows NBN fibre rollout still moving

    Video: Turnbull shows NBN fibre rollout still moving

    Takes in Western Sydney rollout site.
    Ry Crozier Nov 8 2013 3:05PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co brings in another Telstra exec

    NBN Co brings in another Telstra exec

    COO shunted.
    Allie Coyne Nov 7 2013 9:20AM Telco/ISP
    NBN ripe for rejig in wake of mobile explosion

    NBN ripe for rejig in wake of mobile explosion

    Vodafone presses policy influence.
    Ry Crozier Nov 6 2013 4:15PM Telco/ISP

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