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.

    • Exclusive: Inside Telstra's South Brisbane fibre rollout

    Exclusive: Inside Telstra's South Brisbane fibre rollout

    iTnews tours the first fibre-to-the-home rollout outside of the NBN.
    James Hutchinson Sep 2 2011 11:58AM Telco/ISP
    Comment: Vale ATUG

    Comment: Vale ATUG

    Big users lose their voice.
    David Havyatt Sep 2 2011 11:58AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra: $4.7 billion better off under NBN

    Telstra: $4.7 billion better off under NBN

    Better to cooperate than compete.
    Brett Winterford Sep 1 2011 10:53AM Telco/ISP
    ACCC may refuse Telstra separation plan

    ACCC may refuse Telstra separation plan

    Does not meet legislative requirements.
    Ry Crozier Aug 30 2011 2:32PM Telco/ISP
    Libs etch telehealth as NBN battleground

    Libs etch telehealth as NBN battleground

    Former Optus executive moves on applications for attack.
    James Hutchinson Aug 25 2011 5:04PM Telco/ISP
    Analysis: The NBN Co board table shake-up

    Analysis: The NBN Co board table shake-up

    Boyce and Beaufret out as NBN Co transforms to communications giant.
    James Hutchinson Aug 25 2011 10:42AM Telco/ISP
    NBN negotiator put on backburner

    NBN negotiator put on backburner

    NSW rollout lacks state coordination.
    James Hutchinson Aug 19 2011 12:50PM Telco/ISP
    Netcomm to provide NBN wireless gear

    Netcomm to provide NBN wireless gear

    MD rejects $200m estimates of deal's value.
    James Hutchinson Aug 19 2011 11:12AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra forges ahead with NBN deal approval

    Telstra forges ahead with NBN deal approval

    Might go to vote without ACCC's tick.
    James Hutchinson Aug 11 2011 2:08PM Telco/ISP
    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

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