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.

    • Telstra excuses itself over cut lines for NBN installs

    Telstra excuses itself over cut lines for NBN installs

    ISPs kept in dark as responsibility buck passed.
    Ry Crozier Feb 8 2013 7:54AM Telco/ISP
    Deloitte links mobile spectrum to productivity

    Deloitte links mobile spectrum to productivity

    But what about the NBN?
    Charis Palmer Feb 7 2013 2:24PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co brings 25/5 Mbps to fixed wireless

    NBN Co brings 25/5 Mbps to fixed wireless

    On offer as early as June.
    Ry Crozier Feb 6 2013 11:00AM Telco/ISP
    Broadband Dept blasts 'forum-shopping' ISPs

    Broadband Dept blasts 'forum-shopping' ISPs

    Warns ACCC against becoming a 'tool'.
    Ry Crozier Feb 5 2013 7:00AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra fears IP rules will kill off NBN ideas forum

    Telstra fears IP rules will kill off NBN ideas forum

    No incentive to participate?
    Ry Crozier Jan 30 2013 3:01PM Telco/ISP
    Tas Emergency Services go NBN

    Tas Emergency Services go NBN

    iiNet gets the nod as primary service provider.
    Joshua Gliddon Jan 29 2013 12:03PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co reaches 10,000 active fibre connections

    NBN Co reaches 10,000 active fibre connections

    Ambitious target to have 60 percent of users on fibre by July.
    Ry Crozier Jan 29 2013 12:05AM Telco/ISP
    Govt pushes telework for extreme weather response

    Govt pushes telework for extreme weather response

    Looks to make another case for the NBN.
    Charis Palmer Jan 25 2013 12:00PM Networking
    NBN fibre goes live in four more areas

    NBN fibre goes live in four more areas

    FSAM maps issued for a further 98,000 homes.
    Staff Writers Jan 25 2013 10:55AM Telco/ISP
    NBN arrives in Western Sydney

    NBN arrives in Western Sydney

    Fibre rollout begins in metropolitan Sydney.
    Chris Jager Jan 17 2013 4:01PM Telco/ISP
    Go West: Blacktown NBN rollout photos

    Go West: Blacktown NBN rollout photos

    First fibre laid down on Blacktown Road.
    Chris Jager Jan 17 2013 3:23PM Telco/ISP
    NBN ditches construction chief in restructure

    NBN ditches construction chief in restructure

    Responsibilities to be split in corporate reshuffle.
    Krishan Sharma Jan 17 2013 11:07AM Strategy
    Visionstream bags $90 million Telstra NBN contract

    Visionstream bags $90 million Telstra NBN contract

    Pit-and-pipe services in Vic, Tasmania
    Chris Jager Jan 17 2013 10:36AM Telco/ISP
    On location: Rolling out the NBN

    On location: Rolling out the NBN

    Construction teams work towards 2015 peak.
    Staff Writers Jan 11 2013 12:30PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co exceeds year-end construction target

    NBN Co exceeds year-end construction target

    Almost 27,000 premises above KPI.
    Ry Crozier Jan 11 2013 12:10PM Telco/ISP
    MP: 4G auction is a greedy grab for cash

    MP: 4G auction is a greedy grab for cash

    Opinion: Auction price directly relates to budget shortfall.
    Paul Fletcher Jan 9 2013 2:39PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co spends $87m on fibre to unit blocks

    NBN Co spends $87m on fibre to unit blocks

    Two firms snare contracts.
    Charis Palmer Dec 21 2012 1:54PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co again revises special access undertaking

    NBN Co again revises special access undertaking

    Aligns with ISP feedback.
    Ry Crozier Dec 21 2012 1:47PM Telco/ISP
    Photos: NBN fibre rollout arrives on NSW Central Coast

    Photos: NBN fibre rollout arrives on NSW Central Coast

    iTnews rejoins rollout crews as they continue the national network.
    Staff Writers Dec 21 2012 7:31AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra faces rejig for NBN fibre 'pull through'

    Telstra faces rejig for NBN fibre 'pull through'

    Pressure to keep ISPs better informed.
    Ry Crozier Dec 18 2012 5:57PM Telco/ISP

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