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 reveals NBN pricing

    Telstra reveals NBN pricing

    Signs final contract.
    Staff Writers Feb 27 2012 11:45AM Telco/ISP
    Fletcher: Governments can't dictate technology adoption

    Fletcher: Governments can't dictate technology adoption

    Attacks NBN and e-health records.
    Brett Winterford Feb 26 2012 5:19PM Telco/ISP
    Photos: Inside an NBN satellite installation

    Photos: Inside an NBN satellite installation

    Wiring up eligible residents to NBN Co's interim satellite service.
    Feb 23 2012 1:36PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co revises greenfields rollout process

    NBN Co revises greenfields rollout process

    Residents in NBN limbo to get interim Telstra service.
    James Hutchinson Feb 16 2012 11:28AM Telco/ISP
    ACCC declares Telstra wholesale pricing

    ACCC declares Telstra wholesale pricing

    Will it solve decade-long competition concerns?
    James Hutchinson Feb 14 2012 5:26PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co contracts long-term call centre software

    NBN Co contracts long-term call centre software

    $1.5m contract goes to Aussie reseller.
    James Hutchinson Feb 13 2012 11:07AM Telco/ISP
    NBN satellite builder, ground workers in patent suit

    NBN satellite builder, ground workers in patent suit

    Network hopeful seeks damages.
    James Hutchinson Feb 8 2012 6:33PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co orders long-term satellites

    NBN Co orders long-term satellites

    Aussie satellite bid finds new life in NBN.
    James Hutchinson Feb 8 2012 2:00PM Telco/ISP
    Exetel simplifies NBN plans

    Exetel simplifies NBN plans

    Shaves $30 off top-tier plan.
    Staff Writers Feb 7 2012 3:29PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co braces for secrecy probe

    NBN Co braces for secrecy probe

    Opinion: Is commercial sensitivity a catch-all?
    James Hutchinson Feb 3 2012 12:30PM Telco/ISP
    Exclusive: NBN Co withholds fibre upgrade price

    Exclusive: NBN Co withholds fibre upgrade price

    Fears trial details could breach contractor confidentiality.
    James Hutchinson , Ry Crozier Feb 2 2012 7:20AM Telco/ISP
    Telcos urge revision to NBN regulation

    Telcos urge revision to NBN regulation

    'Elephant in the room' rears its head.
    James Hutchinson Jan 30 2012 1:28PM Telco/ISP
    Greenfields lobby group escalates NBN complaint

    Greenfields lobby group escalates NBN complaint

    Lobbies for competition watchdog inquiry.
    James Hutchinson Jan 30 2012 7:00AM Telco/ISP
    Greenfields residents gain terabyte quotas

    Greenfields residents gain terabyte quotas

    Internode aligns prices with NBN products, iiNet to follow.
    James Hutchinson Jan 25 2012 5:00PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra opens Velocity estates to third parties

    Telstra opens Velocity estates to third parties

    Residents get choice of retail internet for first time.
    James Hutchinson Jan 24 2012 12:05AM Telco/ISP
    Internode knocked back on Telstra-NBN documents

    Internode knocked back on Telstra-NBN documents

    'Unknown unknowns' could plague competitors.
    James Hutchinson Jan 20 2012 4:46PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co urges 16-year regulatory break

    NBN Co urges 16-year regulatory break

    Forced review could risk investment, economic analysis warns.
    James Hutchinson Jan 20 2012 11:50AM Telco/ISP
    Concerns remain as Optus casts lot with NBN

    Concerns remain as Optus casts lot with NBN

    Regulatory oversight in the air.
    James Hutchinson Jan 20 2012 10:58AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co targets the dead in Sydney fibre rollout

    NBN Co targets the dead in Sydney fibre rollout

    Zombies need broadband too.
    James Hutchinson Jan 18 2012 6:07AM Telco/ISP
    Tier-two ISPs sign final NBN agreement

    Tier-two ISPs sign final NBN agreement

    Gain liability exemptions.
    James Hutchinson Jan 12 2012 5:00PM Telco/ISP

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