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.

    • Budget includes $20m for NBN ads

    Budget includes $20m for NBN ads

    Millions spent to counter the shock jocks.
    Staff Writers May 8 2012 10:47PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co prepares voice services for prime-time

    NBN Co prepares voice services for prime-time

    Automates VoIP user authentication.
    James Hutchinson May 7 2012 5:21PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co eyes 100 GB satellite plans

    NBN Co eyes 100 GB satellite plans

    Ten times current capacity.
    James Hutchinson May 4 2012 1:01PM Telco/ISP
    Niche satellite providers fear backhaul squeeze

    Niche satellite providers fear backhaul squeeze

    Urge regulator to rethink NBN model.
    James Hutchinson Apr 27 2012 11:39AM Telco/ISP
    Coalition can skip Telstra-NBN contract rewrite

    Coalition can skip Telstra-NBN contract rewrite

    'Keep it simple', Telstra urges.
    James Hutchinson Apr 19 2012 1:57PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co reaches to ITU for satellite assurance

    NBN Co reaches to ITU for satellite assurance

    Updated: Attempts to dislodge Coalition criticisms.
    James Hutchinson Apr 18 2012 10:45AM Telco/ISP
    Downer warns on Chinese paranoia

    Downer warns on Chinese paranoia

    Chinese investment, R&D vital to Australian telecomms.
    James Hutchinson Apr 17 2012 1:51PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co faces secrecy probe on commercial sensitivity

    NBN Co faces secrecy probe on commercial sensitivity

    First review targets transparency.
    James Hutchinson Apr 17 2012 5:32AM Telco/ISP
    Quigley plays down satellite concerns

    Quigley plays down satellite concerns

    Coalition highlights risky business.
    James Hutchinson Apr 17 2012 12:24AM Telco/ISP
    Govt to spend more to stimulate NBN use

    Govt to spend more to stimulate NBN use

    New round of training and education grants.
    John Hilvert Apr 16 2012 5:11PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co charts slow greenfields growth

    NBN Co charts slow greenfields growth

    110 connections in first year as provider.
    James Hutchinson Apr 11 2012 12:53PM Telco/ISP
    Telcos seek shorter NBN framework

    Telcos seek shorter NBN framework

    Want revision to 'unprecedented' 30-year term.
    James Hutchinson Apr 5 2012 11:59AM Telco/ISP
    GreenTouch targets energy-hungry fibre modems

    GreenTouch targets energy-hungry fibre modems

    Analysis: Upgrade path for NBN simple.
    Rod Tucker Apr 5 2012 11:59AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co negotiator appointed CFO

    NBN Co negotiator appointed CFO

    Replaces Jean-Pascal Beaufret.
    Staff Writers Apr 5 2012 6:46AM Telco/ISP
    First apartments to get NBN by June

    First apartments to get NBN by June

    NBN Co irons out installation kinks.
    James Hutchinson Apr 4 2012 2:35PM Telco/ISP
    Gartner: Factor NBN into enterprise plans

    Gartner: Factor NBN into enterprise plans

    Not just a consumer play.
    James Hutchinson Apr 3 2012 6:54AM Networking
    iiNet builds NBN automation for growth

    iiNet builds NBN automation for growth

    Plans April compliance.
    James Hutchinson Mar 30 2012 11:25AM Telco/ISP
    NBN to reach 3.5 million more premises

    NBN to reach 3.5 million more premises

    Battery backup decision in May.
    James Hutchinson Mar 29 2012 1:23PM Telco/ISP
    Nextep expands to NBN

    Nextep expands to NBN

    Becomes 10th sub-wholesaler.
    Staff Writers Mar 28 2012 1:55PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to release three-year rollout plan Thursday

    NBN Co to release three-year rollout plan Thursday

    Milestone release.
    Staff Writers Mar 27 2012 5:03PM Telco/ISP

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