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.

    • Labor 'underestimated' NBN construction challenge

    Labor 'underestimated' NBN construction challenge

    Targets set too high in start-up phase.
    Ry Crozier Oct 11 2013 4:19PM Telco/ISP
    Visionstream hits back at Turnbull's NBN stop-work claim

    Visionstream hits back at Turnbull's NBN stop-work claim

    Says asbestos halt forced delays.
    Allie Coyne Oct 9 2013 3:35PM Telco/ISP
    Turnbull claims NBN work stalled in Tasmania

    Turnbull claims NBN work stalled in Tasmania

    Clarifies work has "slowed".
    Allie Coyne Oct 8 2013 12:07PM Telco/ISP
    Switkowski to lead three-person NBN Co board

    Switkowski to lead three-person NBN Co board

    Still hunting for CEO.
    Allie Coyne Oct 3 2013 3:30PM Telco/ISP
    Coalition anticipates only minor NBN rule adjustments

    Coalition anticipates only minor NBN rule adjustments

    Backs move to finalise special access undertaking.
    Ry Crozier Oct 1 2013 6:30AM Telco/ISP
    ACCC to press ahead with NBN access rules

    ACCC to press ahead with NBN access rules

    Despite change of government.
    Ry Crozier Sep 30 2013 12:02PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to roll fibre to 300,000 more premises

    NBN Co to roll fibre to 300,000 more premises

    But after that, fibre future is unclear.
    Ry Crozier Sep 24 2013 2:15PM Telco/ISP
    Shorten slams 'undermining' of NBN Co board

    Shorten slams 'undermining' of NBN Co board

    Following resignation offers.
    Staff Writers Sep 23 2013 3:18PM Telco/ISP
    TPG to build fibre to the basement

    TPG to build fibre to the basement

    Metro areas promised 100Mbps speeds.
    Staff Writers Sep 17 2013 11:00AM Telco/ISP
    Meet Australia's new IT ministers

    Meet Australia's new IT ministers

    Innovation goes missing.
    Allie Coyne , Paris Cowan Sep 16 2013 3:10PM Strategy
    NZ PM questions Chorus' future under new pricing scheme

    NZ PM questions Chorus' future under new pricing scheme

    Regulator was wrong, Key says.
    Juha Saarinen Sep 15 2013 10:47AM Telco/ISP
    Turnbull dismisses NBN petition

    Turnbull dismisses NBN petition

    "Democracy has spoken".
    Staff Writers Sep 13 2013 12:07PM Telco/ISP
    Conroy seeks position on Labor frontbench

    Conroy seeks position on Labor frontbench

    Ready to take on Turnbull again.
    Charis Palmer Sep 12 2013 6:37AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co strangles myNBN

    NBN Co strangles myNBN

    [Blog post] Rollout progress site reduced to manual updates.
    Ry Crozier Sep 11 2013 6:52AM Telco/ISP
    NBN contractors gain in post-election trading

    NBN contractors gain in post-election trading

    Market rewards FTTN network?
    Charis Palmer Sep 9 2013 1:41PM Financial Services
    What an Abbott-led government promises for IT

    What an Abbott-led government promises for IT

    From NBN to procurement, change is coming.
    Allie Coyne Sep 9 2013 12:54PM Strategy
    Telstra may be tapped for NBN construction advice

    Telstra may be tapped for NBN construction advice

    Telcos talk new government outlook.
    Ry Crozier Sep 9 2013 11:58AM Telco/ISP
    Transfield NZ subbies down tools after no pay for weeks

    Transfield NZ subbies down tools after no pay for weeks

    'Computer glitch' investigated as cause.
    Juha Saarinen Sep 5 2013 4:07PM Telco/ISP
    Optus lobbies for copper cost carve-up

    Optus lobbies for copper cost carve-up

    Ducts already paid for by NBN Co?
    Ry Crozier Sep 5 2013 11:05AM Telco/ISP
    Australians still prefer public NBN: study

    Australians still prefer public NBN: study

    Study finds five years of mostly negative media sentiment.
    Charis Palmer Sep 4 2013 10:41AM Telco/ISP

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