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 Co to train half of workers in 'months'

    NBN Co to train half of workers in 'months'

    Reveals amounts of training the 18,000 workers on the project will receive.
    James Hutchinson Jul 6 2011 1:45PM Telco/ISP
    NBN committee calls for bigger greenfields probe

    NBN committee calls for bigger greenfields probe

    'Missed opportunity' for NBN Co squeeze.
    James Hutchinson Jul 5 2011 6:26AM Telco/ISP
    ISPs to cop blame for false NBN speed claims

    ISPs to cop blame for false NBN speed claims

    Watchdog threatens litigation.
    James Hutchinson Jul 4 2011 7:15AM Telco/ISP
    AAPT meets NBN with expanded network

    AAPT meets NBN with expanded network

    Collaborates with competitors to reach some regional centres.
    James Hutchinson Jul 1 2011 12:28PM Telco/ISP
    Tasmanian NBN cabling stays overhead

    Tasmanian NBN cabling stays overhead

    Country town stuck with electricity poles for now.
    James Hutchinson Jun 30 2011 2:55PM Telco/ISP
    TransACT seeks Conroy's exemption in Canberra expansion

    TransACT seeks Conroy's exemption in Canberra expansion

    Build caught by retroactively-applied NBN legislation.
    James Hutchinson Jun 30 2011 7:34AM Telco/ISP
    Fibre network refresh at NBN-ready councils

    Fibre network refresh at NBN-ready councils

    Armidale looks to displace Telstra as NBN rolls out.
    James Hutchinson Jun 29 2011 6:57AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co taps 'commercial maths' for network design

    NBN Co taps 'commercial maths' for network design

    Algorithms could save $200 a premises.
    Liz Tay Jun 27 2011 12:45PM Networking
    NBN satellite triallers treated to download spree

    NBN satellite triallers treated to download spree

    Linux torrents queue up as country users welcome city broadband speeds.
    James Hutchinson Jun 27 2011 11:22AM Telco/ISP
    Photos: Skybridge installs NBN satellites

    Photos: Skybridge installs NBN satellites

    As part of the NBN satellite trials initiated this month, 200 existing SkyMesh and HarbourSAT users have had the satellite service installed at their homes. This means more than the ONT box fibre and fixed wireless users get - it's an entirely new satellite dish along with their existing one.
    Jun 27 2011 6:21AM Telco/ISP
    Opinion: Who loses from the Telstra-NBN deal?

    Opinion: Who loses from the Telstra-NBN deal?

    An economist's view of Thodey's gamble.
    David Havyatt Jun 24 2011 10:40AM Telco/ISP
    Telcos saved from USO levy increases

    Telcos saved from USO levy increases

    Industry levy flat for next two years.
    James Hutchinson Jun 23 2011 3:15PM Telco/ISP
    Turnbull bemoans high cost of Telstra-NBN deal

    Turnbull bemoans high cost of Telstra-NBN deal

    Coalition keeps the fight for fibre-to-the-node.
    Staff Writers Jun 23 2011 12:48PM Telco/ISP
    Optus signs $800m NBN Co deal

    Optus signs $800m NBN Co deal

    Optus to decommission cable network in some areas as customers are migrated.
    James Hutchinson Jun 23 2011 10:19AM Telco/ISP
    Conroy offers NBN cash for local governments

    Conroy offers NBN cash for local governments

    Federal Government calls for better local government online services.
    Staff Writers Jun 22 2011 11:40AM Networking
    NBN Co outsources IT service desk

    NBN Co outsources IT service desk

    Fujitsu lands second major NBN deal.
    James Hutchinson Jun 21 2011 11:49AM Hardware
    Productivity Commission investigates NBN Co

    Productivity Commission investigates NBN Co

    Probes greenfields role.
    James Hutchinson Jun 20 2011 6:47AM Telco/ISP
    Turnbull tests NBN Co-pays amendment for greenfields

    Turnbull tests NBN Co-pays amendment for greenfields

    Fork out for ownership of passive infrastructure and third-party fibre.
    James Hutchinson , John Hilvert Jun 17 2011 6:10PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Estimates stalls on Alcatel row

    NBN Estimates stalls on Alcatel row

    Forcibly adjourned to halt heated argument.
    Ry Crozier Jun 17 2011 8:47AM Telco/ISP
    Platform Networks makes NBN connections

    Platform Networks makes NBN connections

    Five service providers test sub-wholesale service.
    James Hutchinson Jun 16 2011 1:48PM Telco/ISP

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