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 to buy Adam Internet

    Telstra to buy Adam Internet

    Updated: More consolidation in ISP market.
    Ry Crozier Oct 24 2012 9:37AM Telco/ISP
    Sydney City Council pushes for underground cables

    Sydney City Council pushes for underground cables

    For NBN and power lines.
    Joshua Gliddon Oct 18 2012 2:20PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co defends rollout progress

    NBN Co defends rollout progress

    Will meet premises passed targets to June 2013.
    John Hilvert Oct 17 2012 7:26AM Telco/ISP
    Greenfields fibre operator fined for slow broadband

    Greenfields fibre operator fined for slow broadband

    Bogus backhaul cited.
    Juha Saarinen Oct 16 2012 7:04AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to build satellite facility at Roma

    NBN Co to build satellite facility at Roma

    Subject to development approval.
    Ry Crozier Oct 16 2012 1:01AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to roll network to 166,000 more premises

    NBN Co to roll network to 166,000 more premises

    Next tranche of delivery.
    Staff Writers Oct 15 2012 4:19PM Telco/ISP
    iiNet readies update to TransACT fibre prices

    iiNet readies update to TransACT fibre prices

    Expected as soon as this week.
    Ry Crozier Oct 15 2012 1:14PM Telco/ISP
    Cost of canning the NBN at least $2.3 billion

    Cost of canning the NBN at least $2.3 billion

    Half a billion dollar rise within months.
    Juha Saarinen , Ry Crozier Oct 15 2012 7:51AM Telco/ISP
    AusPost edges closer to broadband play

    AusPost edges closer to broadband play

    But no infrastructure strategy.
    James Hutchinson Oct 10 2012 3:09PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co prepares first copper disconnects

    NBN Co prepares first copper disconnects

    18-month countdown set for some sites.
    James Hutchinson Oct 10 2012 12:23PM Telco/ISP
    Government bagged over mobile coverage neglect

    Government bagged over mobile coverage neglect

    NBN strategy ignores most critical rural telecommunications demand?
    John Hilvert Oct 10 2012 10:37AM Telco/ISP
    NBN won't help Aussie IT offshoring woes

    NBN won't help Aussie IT offshoring woes

    Over 20,000 services jobs a year sent overseas.
    Ry Crozier Oct 9 2012 2:45PM Training & Development
    Turnbull warns on data retention laws

    Turnbull warns on data retention laws

    Criticises NBN Co's fixed wireless network.
    James Hutchinson Oct 9 2012 10:15AM Security
    Queensland schools to get NBN satellite

    Queensland schools to get NBN satellite

    56 schools to get 20 GB data quota each.
    James Hutchinson Oct 5 2012 12:30PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra tussles over greenfield duct standards

    Telstra tussles over greenfield duct standards

    Wants developers to maintain pit and pipe.
    James Hutchinson Oct 3 2012 2:05PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co confirms Western Australian satellite stations

    NBN Co confirms Western Australian satellite stations

    Plays to history at Carnarvon.
    Staff Writers Oct 1 2012 1:01AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co builds own MPLS network

    NBN Co builds own MPLS network

    To push alarms around Australia.
    James Hutchinson Sep 25 2012 4:34PM Telco/ISP
    Turnbull attacks Quigley over NBN management

    Turnbull attacks Quigley over NBN management

    Executive shake-up likely under Coalition power.
    James Hutchinson Sep 24 2012 6:03PM Telco/ISP
    Screenshots: The coalition's broadband survey

    Screenshots: The coalition's broadband survey

    What to expect if you don't want to click.
    Staff Writers Sep 24 2012 11:49AM Telco/ISP
    NBN committee schedules Kiwi hearings

    NBN committee schedules Kiwi hearings

    But Turnbull a no-show.
    James Hutchinson Sep 19 2012 7:00AM Telco/ISP

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