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.

    • 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
    Man dies in Kiama NBN build

    Man dies in Kiama NBN build

    Updated: Concrete worker fatally trapped.
    Allie Coyne May 31 2013 3:36PM Networking
    Five NBN Co lessons from Budget Estimates

    Five NBN Co lessons from Budget Estimates

    Who's who, antagonism and a circus trip.
    Ry Crozier May 31 2013 9:27AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co's take-up rates soar

    NBN Co's take-up rates soar

    Analysis: Big numbers, big growth in just five weeks.
    Ry Crozier May 31 2013 6:30AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra recruiting asbestos team to oversee pit works

    Telstra recruiting asbestos team to oversee pit works

    Action taken after twin contamination cases.
    Ry Crozier May 30 2013 4:38PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to beat its June rollout target

    NBN Co to beat its June rollout target

    Revealed: The numbers, and how they will do it.
    Ry Crozier May 28 2013 6:30AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co wins right to fast-track users onto fibre

    NBN Co wins right to fast-track users onto fibre

    Quiet victory opens more fibre areas to internet services.
    Ry Crozier May 28 2013 6:29AM Telco/ISP
    ACCC to review mobile termination access service

    ACCC to review mobile termination access service

    Is regulation necessary?
    Juha Saarinen May 28 2013 5:58AM Telco/ISP
    AusBBS adds unlimited NBN plans to arsenal

    AusBBS adds unlimited NBN plans to arsenal

    Prepared to avoid quota abusers.
    Ry Crozier May 27 2013 12:04PM Telco/ISP
    UK national broadband projects grinding to a halt

    UK national broadband projects grinding to a halt

    Looking off colour.
    Juha Saarinen May 27 2013 6:24AM Strategy
    Google technology advocate sends NBN safety message

    Google technology advocate sends NBN safety message

    Suggests mandatory protection measures.
    Charis Palmer May 22 2013 11:46AM Networking
    Conroy, Turnbull joust over NBN equity numbers

    Conroy, Turnbull joust over NBN equity numbers

    Analysis: What long-term drawdown fluctuations really look like.
    Ry Crozier May 15 2013 2:33PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co approaches $900m in Telstra liabilities

    NBN Co approaches $900m in Telstra liabilities

    Scales up with rollout.
    Ry Crozier May 15 2013 6:20AM Telco/ISP
    Govt warns ACCC against NBN price tinkering

    Govt warns ACCC against NBN price tinkering

    Price rebalancing power worries NBN Co, shareholders.
    Ry Crozier May 13 2013 6:45AM Telco/ISP
    Telehealth and the NBN myth

    Telehealth and the NBN myth

    Opinion: New funding for old innovation.
    David Glance May 9 2013 12:18PM Strategy
    Telehealth projects get $20m funding boost

    Telehealth projects get $20m funding boost

    Govt seeks to show NBN in action.
    Charis Palmer May 8 2013 4:22PM Telco/ISP

    Log In

      |  Forgot your password?