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.

    • Greenfields exempted from NBN trial expiry

    Greenfields exempted from NBN trial expiry

    As telcos battle over contractual nitty gritty.
    James Hutchinson Jan 12 2012 2:01PM Telco/ISP
    NBN contractors file fixed wireless plans

    NBN contractors file fixed wireless plans

    Build, lease costs begin to surface.
    Ry Crozier Jan 11 2012 7:00AM Telco/ISP
    ACT Government's IT shared services to move

    ACT Government's IT shared services to move

    New offices in Gungahlin.
    Liz Tay Jan 10 2012 7:06AM Strategy
    Farmer lobby groups call for NBN fibre

    Farmer lobby groups call for NBN fibre

    As University of New England plans NBN-connected “smart farm”.
    James Hutchinson Dec 28 2011 11:07AM Telco/ISP
    Press Council finds News Limited misled over NBN

    Press Council finds News Limited misled over NBN

    Three articles judged “inaccurate” and “misleading”.
    Brett Winterford Dec 23 2011 10:10AM Telco/ISP
    iiNet to acquire Internode for $105m

    iiNet to acquire Internode for $105m

    Gobbles up two ISPs in little over a month.
    Brett Winterford Dec 22 2011 4:52PM Telco/ISP
    Visionstream to build NBN wireless network

    Visionstream to build NBN wireless network

    Ericsson sub-contracts the dirt work.
    James Hutchinson Dec 21 2011 6:29AM Telco/ISP
    Armidale homes trial Vodafone NBN services

    Armidale homes trial Vodafone NBN services

    Unlimited downloads, free of charge.
    James Hutchinson Dec 19 2011 5:06PM Telco/ISP
    ABC to open access to digital archives

    ABC to open access to digital archives

    Teaching resource to cost $20m over three years.
    Staff Writers Dec 15 2011 4:29PM Telco/ISP
    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

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