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.

    • New Zealand NBN lags take-up targets

    New Zealand NBN lags take-up targets

    Opposition slams slow broadband rollout.
    Juha Saarinen Jun 29 2012 12:15PM Telco/ISP
    NBN committee eyes sooner debt funding

    NBN committee eyes sooner debt funding

    $13.4 billion now, not later.
    James Hutchinson Jun 26 2012 7:00AM Financial Services
    NBN Co scales back 30-year regulation

    NBN Co scales back 30-year regulation

    Second crack at undertaking.
    James Hutchinson Jun 21 2012 7:00AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co ditches Fujitsu for greenfield work

    NBN Co ditches Fujitsu for greenfield work

    Visionstream, Service Stream handed more work.
    James Hutchinson Jun 20 2012 10:28AM Telco/ISP
    BT mulls network changes for WA expansion

    BT mulls network changes for WA expansion

    Booming energy sector draws attention.
    Ry Crozier Jun 15 2012 7:17AM Networking
    Mine workers in line for NBN connections

    Mine workers in line for NBN connections

    Moranbah the next site for NBN fibre cables?
    Ry Crozier Jun 14 2012 7:15AM Telco/ISP
    NBN wireless faces crippled upgrade path

    NBN wireless faces crippled upgrade path

    MIMO no-show on NBN.
    James Hutchinson Jun 8 2012 1:45PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co corrects national address database

    NBN Co corrects national address database

    Maker defends against inaccuracy claims.
    James Hutchinson Jun 7 2012 5:14PM Telco/ISP
    What is a halted NBN worth?

    What is a halted NBN worth?

    Opinion: The network no-one would want.
    Michael Wyres Jun 1 2012 12:10PM Telco/ISP
    Internet traffic forecast to reach 1.3 zettabytes in 2016

    Internet traffic forecast to reach 1.3 zettabytes in 2016

    From peta to exa to zetta in five years.
    Juha Saarinen May 31 2012 5:02AM Networking
    Researchers claim Chinese backdoors in US military chips

    Researchers claim Chinese backdoors in US military chips

    Made in China, but is it dangerous?
    Juha Saarinen May 29 2012 8:10PM Networking
    ACCC approves Optus NBN deal

    ACCC approves Optus NBN deal

    Clears hurdle to revised business plan.
    James Hutchinson May 28 2012 10:26AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co expands wireless trials

    NBN Co expands wireless trials

    Toowoomba, Tamworth get LTE.
    Staff Writers May 25 2012 1:13PM Telco/ISP
    NBN slows over inaccurate address data

    NBN slows over inaccurate address data

    Work duplicated under geospatial contract.
    James Hutchinson May 25 2012 7:00AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co quashes wireless block claims

    NBN Co quashes wireless block claims

    Are future peak speeds tested?
    James Hutchinson May 23 2012 7:00AM Telco/ISP
    Malaysia trumps Australia in NBN connection race

    Malaysia trumps Australia in NBN connection race

    Incumbent lends to faster rollout but sting in the tail.
    Staff Writers May 15 2012 10:24AM Telco/ISP
    Inside Corning's NBN cable manufacturing plant

    Inside Corning's NBN cable manufacturing plant

    Conroy launches Victorian facility
    May 11 2012 1:01PM Telco/ISP
    Photos: Corning's NBN cable manufacturing facility

    Photos: Corning's NBN cable manufacturing facility

    Conroy launches Victorian facility.
    Staff Writers May 11 2012 12:45PM Telco/ISP
    NBN rollback to cost at least $1.8 billion

    NBN rollback to cost at least $1.8 billion

    Network harder to cancel, Budget documents reveal.
    James Hutchinson , Ry Crozier May 9 2012 12:35PM Telco/ISP
    Budget 2012: IT spared in spending cuts

    Budget 2012: IT spared in spending cuts

    Funds committed for IT to drive health and welfare projects.
    John Hilvert May 9 2012 6:11AM Financial Services

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