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.

    • Internode finagles multicast workaround on NBN fibre

    Internode finagles multicast workaround on NBN fibre

    'It works'.
    James Hutchinson Dec 14 2011 12:30PM Telco/ISP
    Visionstream picks up NBN Co transit contract

    Visionstream picks up NBN Co transit contract

    Contract valued at $19 million.
    Staff Writers Dec 14 2011 11:25AM Telco/ISP
    Ericsson CTO to lead Australia

    Ericsson CTO to lead Australia

    Swaps Silicon Valley for Australia.
    Liam Tung Dec 13 2011 5:02AM Networking
    Gunnedah visitors given 10MB over free Wi-Fi

    Gunnedah visitors given 10MB over free Wi-Fi

    Vendor rebuffs NBN comparisons.
    James Hutchinson Dec 9 2011 1:42PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra, NBN Co extend deal deadline

    Telstra, NBN Co extend deal deadline

    ACCC decision in February.
    Staff Writers Dec 9 2011 10:10AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co's role in housing estates under scrutiny

    NBN Co's role in housing estates under scrutiny

    Government unclear on ‘provider of last resort’.
    James Hutchinson Dec 9 2011 1:53AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co lodges undertaking to watchdog

    NBN Co lodges undertaking to watchdog

    Aims to allay industry concerns.
    Staff Writers Dec 6 2011 6:51AM Telco/ISP
    Competition and the NBN

    Competition and the NBN

    Comment: How telcos and ISPs need to adapt to the NBN world.
    David Havyatt Dec 2 2011 1:00PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co opens network operations centre

    NBN Co opens network operations centre

    Puts demonstration centre truck on the road to Tasmania.
    Stephen Withers Nov 25 2011 4:22PM Telco/ISP
    Photos: NBN Co opens network operations centre

    Photos: NBN Co opens network operations centre

    NBN Co opens its $32.5 million operations hub in Melbourne.
    Nov 25 2011 12:50PM Telco/ISP
    Nokia Siemens to cut workforce by 17,000

    Nokia Siemens to cut workforce by 17,000

    Future in mobile, minus a quarter of headcount.
    Liam Tung Nov 24 2011 6:53AM Networking
    iiNet paints unclear future for TransACT fibre, cable

    iiNet paints unclear future for TransACT fibre, cable

    Optus-style NBN deal unlikely.
    James Hutchinson Nov 22 2011 7:23AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co appoints operations officer

    NBN Co appoints operations officer

    BT alumnus joins.
    Staff Writers Nov 21 2011 11:38AM Telco/ISP
    How ISPs will tempt you in the NBN era

    How ISPs will tempt you in the NBN era

    Comment: Five marketing tactics over the next decade.
    Cameron Craig Nov 18 2011 12:55PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co's daunting construction task

    NBN Co's daunting construction task

    Comment: Contracts are in place but schedule slips.
    David Havyatt Nov 18 2011 12:55PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co builds up fibre component stock

    NBN Co builds up fibre component stock

    Prepares for next phase of rollout.
    Ry Crozier Nov 15 2011 12:10PM Telco/ISP
    Syntheo snags $141m NBN construction win

    Syntheo snags $141m NBN construction win

    Now rolling out fibre in three states and territories.
    James Hutchinson Nov 14 2011 6:01AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra, Optus prepare to oppose tower bill

    Telstra, Optus prepare to oppose tower bill

    Carriers, industry organisation file last-minute submissions to inquiry.
    James Hutchinson Nov 11 2011 11:15AM Telco/ISP
    Optus feels price squeeze on fixed broadband

    Optus feels price squeeze on fixed broadband

    Eyes digital media booster.
    James Hutchinson Nov 11 2011 7:30AM Telco/ISP
    Optus outs trial NBN pricing

    Optus outs trial NBN pricing

    Backpedals on threats.
    James Hutchinson Nov 9 2011 7:30AM Telco/ISP

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