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.

    • NBN committee to hear NZ fibre experience

    NBN committee to hear NZ fibre experience

    Turnbull's argument put to the test.
    James Hutchinson Oct 13 2011 5:41PM Telco/ISP
    Primus CEO calls for major NBN discounts

    Primus CEO calls for major NBN discounts

    Incentives to keep Tier 2 players in the game.
    James Hutchinson Oct 12 2011 6:01PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co updates ISP interface roadmap

    NBN Co updates ISP interface roadmap

    B2B gateway expected by end of January.
    Ry Crozier Oct 12 2011 4:12PM Telco/ISP
    NBN users complain about battery backup

    NBN users complain about battery backup

    Are batteries even necessary?
    James Hutchinson Oct 11 2011 4:38PM Telco/ISP
    Victoria offers $6m for fast web proposals

    Victoria offers $6m for fast web proposals

    Applicants must fund half the proposal cost.
    Liam Tung Oct 11 2011 6:46AM Financial Services
    NBN Co eyes pop-up facilities as PoIs

    NBN Co eyes pop-up facilities as PoIs

    Unwrapping a mysterious $100m project.
    Brett Winterford , Ry Crozier Oct 10 2011 3:30PM Telco/ISP
    NBN fibre to eclipse DSL tails in 2016

    NBN fibre to eclipse DSL tails in 2016

    Only if the ALP hang on to power.
    Staff Writers Oct 7 2011 2:08PM Telco/ISP
    Wholesale talks stall Telstra, Optus NBN pricing

    Wholesale talks stall Telstra, Optus NBN pricing

    Trial agreement extended until December.
    James Hutchinson Sep 30 2011 1:17PM Telco/ISP
    Vocus fears Telstra duct eviction

    Vocus fears Telstra duct eviction

    New space race is underground.
    Ry Crozier Sep 28 2011 10:53AM Telco/ISP
    NBN is too expensive for the innumerate

    NBN is too expensive for the innumerate

    Opinion: Dissecting a misdirected coalition assault.
    David Havyatt Sep 23 2011 12:39PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Committee stalls after rollout data withheld

    NBN Committee stalls after rollout data withheld

    To be recalled in three weeks.
    Ry Crozier Sep 20 2011 8:17PM Telco/ISP
    Coalition decries high-priced NBN voice services

    Coalition decries high-priced NBN voice services

    Broadband network maintains line rental barrier.
    James Hutchinson Sep 20 2011 7:00AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co plans IPv6 support

    NBN Co plans IPv6 support

    Interest lacking for multicast ability.
    James Hutchinson Sep 20 2011 6:00AM Telco/ISP
    iiNet undercuts rivals with retail NBN prices

    iiNet undercuts rivals with retail NBN prices

    Updated: Flagship Terabyte plans with 100 Mbps speeds under $100 a month.
    Ry Crozier Sep 19 2011 7:08AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co expands Willunga fibre trial

    NBN Co expands Willunga fibre trial

    Last of five mainland sites "officially" opened .
    Staff Writers Sep 16 2011 5:06PM Telco/ISP
    NBN planner critiques 121-point design

    NBN planner critiques 121-point design

    Concerns the network will be less resilient.
    James Hutchinson Sep 16 2011 10:37AM Telco/ISP
    The NBN debate: Where smart people say dumb things

    The NBN debate: Where smart people say dumb things

    I'm looking at you, Bob Brown.
    David Havyatt Sep 16 2011 6:00AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra reveals flat-rate wholesale charges

    Telstra reveals flat-rate wholesale charges

    Updated: Indicative prices 'cement' retail squeeze.
    James Hutchinson Sep 15 2011 7:23AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co assigns Victorian, WA builders

    NBN Co assigns Victorian, WA builders

    Updated: Contracts for South Australia, Darwin yet to be sealed.
    James Hutchinson Sep 6 2011 11:54AM Telco/ISP
    Analysis: Seven items of note in Telstra's annual report

    Analysis: Seven items of note in Telstra's annual report

    IT administrative costs down, software development rises.
    Ry Crozier Sep 2 2011 12:51PM Telco/ISP

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