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.

    • NBN Co's take-up by the numbers

    NBN Co's take-up by the numbers

    Analysis: If they build it, will we come?
    Ry Crozier Apr 23 2013 6:55AM Telco/ISP
    Turnbull may build more FTTP

    Turnbull may build more FTTP

    If the price is right.
    Allie Coyne Apr 19 2013 5:15PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co defends rollout costs with new data

    NBN Co defends rollout costs with new data

    Pegs per-premises brownfields fibre cost at $2300.
    Ry Crozier Apr 19 2013 3:02PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co plan to fast-track users onto fibre in doubt

    NBN Co plan to fast-track users onto fibre in doubt

    Optus, iiNet, AAPT left unconvinced.
    Ry Crozier Apr 19 2013 7:00AM Telco/ISP
    Silcar cuts Telstra cable in Queensland NBN build

    Silcar cuts Telstra cable in Queensland NBN build

    One third of town loses internet, phone service.
    Allie Coyne Apr 17 2013 4:54PM Telco/ISP
    Coalition to rescue NBN in new housing estates

    Coalition to rescue NBN in new housing estates

    Analysis: The 'easy sell' in the alternative broadband strategy.
    Ry Crozier Apr 17 2013 7:01AM Telco/ISP
    Pipe warns NBN Co off mobile backhaul turf

    Pipe warns NBN Co off mobile backhaul turf

    Move would send 'negative signals'.
    Ry Crozier Apr 16 2013 11:23AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to fast-track more users onto fibre

    NBN Co to fast-track more users onto fibre

    Reveals plan to get more people connected.
    Ry Crozier Apr 16 2013 7:00AM Telco/ISP
    ACCC braces for poor-performing NBN services

    ACCC braces for poor-performing NBN services

    Expects complaints over internet, voice quality.
    Ry Crozier Apr 12 2013 7:00AM Telco/ISP
    'Faster and cheaper for less of a network'

    'Faster and cheaper for less of a network'

    Internode chief Hackett slams Opposition policy.
    Allie Coyne Apr 10 2013 12:56PM Telco/ISP
    Coalition takes NBN back to the drawing board

    Coalition takes NBN back to the drawing board

    Opinion: Might not get off the ground before 2020.
    Mark Gregory Apr 10 2013 12:45PM Telco/ISP
    Missing data in Turnbull's second-best NBN

    Missing data in Turnbull's second-best NBN

    NBN-Lite will still need to be heavy on negotiation.
    Charis Palmer Apr 9 2013 3:42PM Telco/ISP
    Coalition unveils long-awaited NBN policy

    Coalition unveils long-awaited NBN policy

    User pays for FTTP.
    Allie Coyne Apr 9 2013 1:22PM Networking
    Coalition promises NBN-lite

    Coalition promises NBN-lite

    Pricing of Coalition plan leaked.
    Juha Saarinen Apr 9 2013 6:47AM Telco/ISP
    ACCC rejects NBN Co special access terms

    ACCC rejects NBN Co special access terms

    Updated: Vigorous retail competition sought.
    Juha Saarinen Apr 4 2013 10:31AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co chalks up $400 million loss

    NBN Co chalks up $400 million loss

    Report delivered later than requested.
    Juha Saarinen Apr 4 2013 6:16AM Telco/ISP
    China unhappy with equipment risk audits

    China unhappy with equipment risk audits

    US telcos Sprint from chinese kit.
    Danielle Walker Apr 2 2013 8:50AM Security
    Transfield awarded Sydney NBN contract

    Transfield awarded Sydney NBN contract

    Major contract to work alongside Silcar.
    Charis Palmer Mar 26 2013 11:09AM Strategy
    NBN Co to simplify fibre approvals for new estates

    NBN Co to simplify fibre approvals for new estates

    Updates maps.
    Ry Crozier Mar 26 2013 7:00AM Telco/ISP
    Feds urged to retain Telstra copper in NBN world

    Feds urged to retain Telstra copper in NBN world

    Fixed-line diversity.
    Ry Crozier Mar 26 2013 6:45AM Telco/ISP

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