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 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
    TPG unveils unlimited NBN plan

    TPG unveils unlimited NBN plan

    Updated: First off blocks with all-you-can-eat fibre.
    James Hutchinson Sep 18 2012 11:01AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co promises new regulatory framework in weeks

    NBN Co promises new regulatory framework in weeks

    Formally withdraws first document.
    James Hutchinson Sep 11 2012 5:26PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co chair warns on coalition policy

    NBN Co chair warns on coalition policy

    Defends monopoly.
    Staff Writers Sep 11 2012 7:00AM Telco/ISP
    NBN retail service provider sign ups boom

    NBN retail service provider sign ups boom

    Eight-fold increase in NBN retailers.
    Darren Pauli Sep 7 2012 12:00PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra fears regulatory gaming of NBN SAU

    Telstra fears regulatory gaming of NBN SAU

    Wants 'walkway' to negotiation, not regulatory wisdom.
    Ry Crozier Sep 7 2012 7:00AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co awards field service, fibre maintenance deals

    NBN Co awards field service, fibre maintenance deals

    Up to 2000 installer and technician jobs to be created.
    Ry Crozier Sep 6 2012 12:30PM Telco/ISP
    Huawei denies security risks of Chinese ties

    Huawei denies security risks of Chinese ties

    Blames commercial, political jousting for negativity.
    Darren Pauli Sep 6 2012 7:00AM Hardware
    Huawei denies security risks of Beijing ties

    Huawei denies security risks of Beijing ties

    Global companies can't risk foul play, says security chief.
    Darren Pauli Sep 5 2012 3:50PM Security
    NBN Co finds ordering system 'issue'

    NBN Co finds ordering system 'issue'

    New connection orders go missing in action.
    Ry Crozier Sep 4 2012 7:00AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra invokes NBN in Naked DSL row

    Telstra invokes NBN in Naked DSL row

    Steps up battle by taking it public.
    Ry Crozier Sep 3 2012 11:02AM Telco/ISP
    Tatts Group standardises on business DSL

    Tatts Group standardises on business DSL

    To deploy nationwide network by 2014.
    Liz Tay Sep 3 2012 7:00AM Telco/ISP
    Audit tick for fibre backhaul blackspot scheme

    Audit tick for fibre backhaul blackspot scheme

    Handled contract variations well.
    John Hilvert Aug 31 2012 12:19PM Telco/ISP
    Oakeshott 'surprised' at Coalition's Huawei security review

    Oakeshott 'surprised' at Coalition's Huawei security review

    Calls on Opposition members to table what they know.
    Ry Crozier Aug 30 2012 11:05AM Security
    Oakeshott 'surprised' at Coalition's Huawei pledge

    Oakeshott 'surprised' at Coalition's Huawei pledge

    Calls on Opposition members to table what they know.
    Ry Crozier Aug 29 2012 5:14PM Security
    Coalition pledges to review Huawei's NBN lockout

    Coalition pledges to review Huawei's NBN lockout

    Pending security advice.
    Ry Crozier Aug 29 2012 7:00AM Networking

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