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 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
    Tas Govt tries to resurrect NBN on power poles

    Tas Govt tries to resurrect NBN on power poles

    Dusts off Aurora plan.
    Ry Crozier Nov 6 2013 10:35AM Telco/ISP
    Some constructive advice for Malcolm Turnbull

    Some constructive advice for Malcolm Turnbull

    OPINION: Don't throw out baby with the bathwater, says MP Jason Clare.
    Jason Clare Nov 6 2013 7:40AM Telco/ISP
    Chorus price cut casts shadow over Ultra-Fast Broadband

    Chorus price cut casts shadow over Ultra-Fast Broadband

    Government caught in the middle.
    Juha Saarinen Nov 5 2013 3:03PM Telco/ISP
    Huawei eyes opportunities beyond 'that' NBN bid

    Huawei eyes opportunities beyond 'that' NBN bid

    Expresses disappointment as political fallout rages.
    Ry Crozier Nov 1 2013 4:30PM Networking
    Govt calls in advisors over NBN reformat

    Govt calls in advisors over NBN reformat

    Seeks commercial advice.
    Ry Crozier Nov 1 2013 12:27PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to bring fibre to 150k more homes

    NBN Co to bring fibre to 150k more homes

    Fresh build approval received.
    Ry Crozier Nov 1 2013 6:41AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra pulls NBN rollout data file offline

    Telstra pulls NBN rollout data file offline

    [Blog post] New transparency regime kicks in.
    Ry Crozier Oct 31 2013 6:51AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co unveils high-level overview of rollout stats

    NBN Co unveils high-level overview of rollout stats

    [Blog post] Expect weekly updates, but granular data sources kept behind firewall.
    Ry Crozier Oct 30 2013 3:34PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra takes NBN Co to court

    Telstra takes NBN Co to court

    Disagreement over pricing matters.
    Allie Coyne Oct 30 2013 11:15AM Telco/ISP
    Half a million NBN fibre connections in limbo

    Half a million NBN fibre connections in limbo

    Will you miss out on FTTP?
    Ry Crozier Oct 30 2013 7:24AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co commits to NABERS data centre ratings

    NBN Co commits to NABERS data centre ratings

    Network hubs to be assessed.
    Ry Crozier Oct 29 2013 5:46PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co brings in consultants for strategic review

    NBN Co brings in consultants for strategic review

    Three firms win advisory work.
    Ry Crozier Oct 25 2013 3:42PM Telco/ISP
    NBN chairman Switkowski to retain Suncorp role

    NBN chairman Switkowski to retain Suncorp role

    But resigns or takes leave from other positions.
    Ry Crozier Oct 25 2013 9:49AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra free to make TPG-style basement fibre play

    Telstra free to make TPG-style basement fibre play

    But little appetite for 'crazy'.
    Ry Crozier Oct 23 2013 1:57PM Telco/ISP
    Revealed: What Telstra wants added to NBN deal

    Revealed: What Telstra wants added to NBN deal

    First details since change of government.
    Ry Crozier Oct 23 2013 12:13PM Telco/ISP

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