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.

    • NZ Govt overrides regulator to set copper wholesale price

    NZ Govt overrides regulator to set copper wholesale price

    May contravene international law.
    Juha Saarinen Aug 8 2013 6:43AM Telco/ISP
    Silcar snags NBN rollout renewal

    Silcar snags NBN rollout renewal

    Worth up to $300m.
    Ry Crozier Aug 7 2013 12:50PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co awards fibre works to Downer EDI

    NBN Co awards fibre works to Downer EDI

    Two contracts include entry into Western Australian rollout.
    Ry Crozier Aug 6 2013 10:02AM Telco/ISP
    Syntheo cuts losses on NBN work

    Syntheo cuts losses on NBN work

    Service Stream forecasts $20m JV loss.
    Charis Palmer Aug 6 2013 9:33AM Telco/ISP
    What can NBN Co do in caretaker mode?

    What can NBN Co do in caretaker mode?

    It can't replace its CEO, for one.
    Ry Crozier Aug 5 2013 4:51PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra pit work to restart in two weeks

    Telstra pit work to restart in two weeks

    Ends nearly three-month halt.
    Allie Coyne Aug 5 2013 2:32PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra unveils UNI-V NBN voice service

    Telstra unveils UNI-V NBN voice service

    For voice-only customers.
    Ry Crozier Aug 2 2013 6:29AM Telco/ISP
    Simon Hackett's blueprint to cut NBN cost

    Simon Hackett's blueprint to cut NBN cost

    'Fibre outcomes on a copper budget'.
    Ry Crozier Jul 19 2013 6:37AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to reserve data port for government

    NBN Co to reserve data port for government

    Shops plan to education, health authorities.
    Andrew Colley Jul 17 2013 6:59AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co appoints new contractor in SA

    NBN Co appoints new contractor in SA

    Syntheo deal unaffected.
    Allie Coyne Jul 15 2013 12:19PM Telco/ISP
    The political shadow that tailed Mike Quigley

    The political shadow that tailed Mike Quigley

    Colleagues, adversaries talk of grace under pressure.
    Allie Coyne Jul 15 2013 1:01AM Telco/ISP
    Quigley steps down as NBN Co CEO

    Quigley steps down as NBN Co CEO

    Announces retirement amid political turmoil.
    Paris Cowan Jul 12 2013 10:54AM Telco/ISP
    Syntheo woes push Service Stream into two-month trading halt

    Syntheo woes push Service Stream into two-month trading halt

    'Material loss' expected.
    Allie Coyne Jul 8 2013 11:13AM Telco/ISP
    ASIO won't be drawn on ZTE's NBN tender

    ASIO won't be drawn on ZTE's NBN tender

    Reasoning remains confidential.
    Darren Pauli Jul 5 2013 1:20PM Security
    NBN Co passes 207,500 premises with fibre

    NBN Co passes 207,500 premises with fibre

    Target reached, but some not serviceable.
    Ry Crozier Jul 4 2013 2:23PM Telco/ISP
    NBN service terms stall again

    NBN service terms stall again

    Clock ticks for special access undertaking.
    Ry Crozier Jul 4 2013 12:04PM Telco/ISP
    Copper broadband beats 1Gbps speeds in trial

    Copper broadband beats 1Gbps speeds in trial

    G.Fast technology used.
    Juha Saarinen Jul 3 2013 12:01PM Telco/ISP
    A double standard for Chinese NBN bidders

    A double standard for Chinese NBN bidders

    Opinion: Why was ZTE allowed where Huawei wasn't?
    David Binning Jul 2 2013 1:01PM Security
    Industry welcomes Albanese to Comms portfolio

    Industry welcomes Albanese to Comms portfolio

    Infrastructure experience deemed helpful to NBN.
    Allie Coyne Jul 1 2013 3:00PM Networking
    Meet Australia's new Communications Minister

    Meet Australia's new Communications Minister

    Albanese replaces Conroy; Husic, Carr, Lundy promoted.
    Allie Coyne Jul 1 2013 8:39AM Networking

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