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 providers clamour over Telstra exchanges

    NBN providers clamour over Telstra exchanges

    Carriers placed at disadvantage over location of NBN PoIs.
    James Hutchinson Aug 10 2011 1:20PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co calls truce in wholesale cost fight

    NBN Co calls truce in wholesale cost fight

    Rebate on connectivity virtual circuit costs.
    James Hutchinson Aug 9 2011 3:25PM Telco/ISP
    Tasmania reaches NBN breakthrough for schools

    Tasmania reaches NBN breakthrough for schools

    Whole-of-government contract maintained.
    James Hutchinson Aug 8 2011 12:52PM Telco/ISP
    NBN, the Blowhole and other political analogies

    NBN, the Blowhole and other political analogies

    Comment: Is Malcolm Turnbull's latest broadband policy real or more playing politics?
    David Havyatt Aug 5 2011 6:50AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co prepares for wireless tower backlash

    NBN Co prepares for wireless tower backlash

    TD-LTE network planned for construction later this year.
    James Hutchinson Aug 4 2011 6:24AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co reveals second release start dates

    NBN Co reveals second release start dates

    Some 57,000 homes to get NBN fibre.
    James Hutchinson Aug 3 2011 6:30AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra creates 'fences' for structural separation

    Telstra creates 'fences' for structural separation

    Detailed migration process to NBN an unknown.
    James Hutchinson Aug 1 2011 10:14AM Telco/ISP
    Kiama prepares free NBN 'hubs'

    Kiama prepares free NBN 'hubs'

    Criteria for government grants lags NBN connections.
    James Hutchinson Jul 29 2011 12:29PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co cuts 'blame clause' after backlash

    NBN Co cuts 'blame clause' after backlash

    Carriers overwhelmingly say it's unnecessary.
    James Hutchinson Jul 29 2011 11:40AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co prepares September undertaking

    NBN Co prepares September undertaking

    Readies wholesale broadband agreement revisions.
    James Hutchinson Jul 27 2011 2:24PM Telco/ISP
    Police arrest truckie over 'Evil' network hack

    Police arrest truckie over 'Evil' network hack

    Updated: Distribute.IT says it's the same 'Evil' that destroyed its servers.
    Ry Crozier Jul 27 2011 7:09AM Security
    Exetel joins NBN pricing fray

    Exetel joins NBN pricing fray

    Pricing to stay until 2013.
    Staff Writers Jul 25 2011 2:37PM Telco/ISP
    Dodo eyes sub-$40 NBN internet service

    Dodo eyes sub-$40 NBN internet service

    Unlimited plans to remain.
    James Hutchinson Jul 22 2011 2:44PM Telco/ISP
    Analysts cast doubt on Turnbull's NBN

    Analysts cast doubt on Turnbull's NBN

    Four-year minimum delay in Coalition plan.
    James Hutchinson Jul 22 2011 6:45AM Telco/ISP
    Internode reveals retail NBN prices

    Internode reveals retail NBN prices

    Updated: Best value at $100 a month.
    James Hutchinson , Ry Crozier Jul 21 2011 3:04PM Telco/ISP
    Doorknocker offers fake NBN services in Hobart

    Doorknocker offers fake NBN services in Hobart

    Offers 20 Mbps services to stage three sites ahead of construction.
    James Hutchinson Jul 15 2011 12:33PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co snags remaining LTE spectrum

    NBN Co snags remaining LTE spectrum

    Northern Queensland most expensive for radio.
    James Hutchinson Jul 14 2011 5:57AM Telco/ISP
    Vint Cerf calls for clarity in NBN cost data

    Vint Cerf calls for clarity in NBN cost data

    Google VP urges Australian Government to develop global case study.
    Kim McDonald Jul 8 2011 6:00AM Telco/ISP
    Analysis: Small ISPs jump ship in face of NBN

    Analysis: Small ISPs jump ship in face of NBN

    100K club grows as small guys drop out of the race.
    James Hutchinson Jul 6 2011 9:45PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra forges NBN wholesale 'proof of concept'

    Telstra forges NBN wholesale 'proof of concept'

    Approaches brave new world with caution.
    James Hutchinson Jul 6 2011 3:57PM Telco/ISP

    Log In

      |  Forgot your password?