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.

    • 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
    NBN Co makes Mike Kaiser redundant

    NBN Co makes Mike Kaiser redundant

    Creates space for former Telstra executive.
    Allie Coyne Oct 23 2013 9:30AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to start fibre-to-the-basement field trials

    NBN Co to start fibre-to-the-basement field trials

    Fresh from the lab to an MDU near you.
    Ry Crozier Oct 22 2013 10:41PM Telco/ISP
    Conroy bypassed for shadow Comms portfolio

    Conroy bypassed for shadow Comms portfolio

    Young blood brought in.
    Allie Coyne Oct 18 2013 12:19PM Strategy
    iiNet's NBN fibre customers use 60 percent more internet

    iiNet's NBN fibre customers use 60 percent more internet

    Have fibre, will use it.
    Ry Crozier Oct 18 2013 7:09AM Telco/ISP
    Dodo challenges TPG's unlimited NBN grip

    Dodo challenges TPG's unlimited NBN grip

    Leaps into NBN market with slew of plans.
    Ry Crozier Oct 16 2013 11:35AM Telco/ISP

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