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.

    • Video: Google-backed O3b launches four satellites

    Video: Google-backed O3b launches four satellites

    Will deliver low-latency, high-speed broadband.
    Juha Saarinen Jun 27 2013 1:26PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co paid iiNet $110k for new customers

    NBN Co paid iiNet $110k for new customers

    Just 18 percent of NBN connections eligible.
    Allie Coyne Jun 27 2013 10:06AM Networking
    Top 20 Stephen Conroy memories and milestones

    Top 20 Stephen Conroy memories and milestones

    Analysis: From gaffes to greatness.
    Ry Crozier Jun 27 2013 6:38AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co urges residents to stand up in MDU disputes

    NBN Co urges residents to stand up in MDU disputes

    Unit owners compelled to act by limiting internet choice?
    Ry Crozier Jun 25 2013 12:30PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra avoids 50 Mbps NBN speed tier

    Telstra avoids 50 Mbps NBN speed tier

    Won't rule out plan revamp, but not happening yet.
    Ry Crozier Jun 25 2013 9:06AM Telco/ISP
    NBN will boost agribusiness productivity: study

    NBN will boost agribusiness productivity: study

    But farmers slow to adopt new technology.
    Sunanda Creagh Jun 25 2013 6:22AM Networking
    Australian internet traffic to grow fivefold by 2016

    Australian internet traffic to grow fivefold by 2016

    Growth higher than expected.
    Staff Writers Jun 21 2013 12:17PM Networking
    NBN Co launches 25/5 Mbps fixed wireless services

    NBN Co launches 25/5 Mbps fixed wireless services

    First retail plans appear.
    Ry Crozier Jun 20 2013 1:10PM Telco/ISP
    Transfield wins new NBN contracts

    Transfield wins new NBN contracts

    Worth up to $366 million.
    Allie Coyne Jun 19 2013 2:04PM Networking
    NBN Co could miss revised June fibre targets

    NBN Co could miss revised June fibre targets

    Analysis: Cutting it fine in the race to the line.
    Ry Crozier Jun 19 2013 6:30AM Telco/ISP
    Committee urges NBN Co to prepare for new govt

    Committee urges NBN Co to prepare for new govt

    Pushes for updated corporate plan.
    Charis Palmer Jun 17 2013 2:10PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co sinks Telstra's NBN info-sharing plan

    NBN Co sinks Telstra's NBN info-sharing plan

    Joins laundry-list of ISPs.
    Ry Crozier Jun 17 2013 6:34AM Telco/ISP
    Could the NBN be used for systematic surveillance?

    Could the NBN be used for systematic surveillance?

    Opinion: Interception as a service.
    David Glance Jun 14 2013 7:09AM Security
    iiNet, Optus reject Telstra's revised NBN infosec plan

    iiNet, Optus reject Telstra's revised NBN infosec plan

    Changes welcome but below standard.
    Ry Crozier Jun 14 2013 6:37AM Security
    NBN contractor halts trading

    NBN contractor halts trading

    Syntheo blamed.
    Allie Coyne Jun 11 2013 12:28PM Telco/ISP
    The NBN stop-work demand that wasn't

    The NBN stop-work demand that wasn't

    Analysis: Something even the Ministers can agree on.
    Ry Crozier Jun 6 2013 6:25AM Telco/ISP
    Qld Govt widens asbestos scandal

    Qld Govt widens asbestos scandal

    Unclear if issues relate to Telstra or NBN Co.
    Allie Coyne Jun 3 2013 4:12PM Telco/ISP
    Thodey endorses asbestos register

    Thodey endorses asbestos register

    Telstra first notified of asbestos in 2009.
    Allie Coyne Jun 3 2013 2:43PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra soothes investors over asbestos scandal

    Telstra soothes investors over asbestos scandal

    No current 'material risk'.
    Allie Coyne Jun 3 2013 10:56AM Networking
    Optus mulls fibre-to-the-home product

    Optus mulls fibre-to-the-home product

    Preparing for possible Coalition government.
    Charis Palmer Jun 3 2013 6:39AM Telco/ISP

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