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.

    • Armidale NBN users armed with big broadband quotas

    Armidale NBN users armed with big broadband quotas

    What NBN first release customers get from their ISPs.
    Ry Crozier May 18 2011 11:51AM Telco/ISP
    Revealed: NBN Co's IT strategy

    Revealed: NBN Co's IT strategy

    NBN Co CIO Claire Rawlins talks cloud, ITIL and 'generic IT'.
    Liz Tay May 17 2011 6:00AM Strategy
    Comment: Sex, drugs and spectrum policy

    Comment: Sex, drugs and spectrum policy

    Lawmakers need a clear head to resolve the battle for Australia's mobile spectrum.
    David Havyatt May 16 2011 6:59AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co greenfields 'panel' goes to Fujitsu

    NBN Co greenfields 'panel' goes to Fujitsu

    First homes to get fibre within six weeks.
    Ry Crozier May 13 2011 12:55PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co lays out timeline for ISP interfaces

    NBN Co lays out timeline for ISP interfaces

    Batch ordering supported from Q1 next year.
    Ry Crozier May 11 2011 2:22PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to trial direct calls to ISPs' customers

    NBN Co to trial direct calls to ISPs' customers

    Technician call-out confirmations to come direct.
    Ry Crozier May 11 2011 6:07AM Telco/ISP
    Opinion: Advance Australia Where?

    Opinion: Advance Australia Where?

    Lots of talk, but little detail on how the NBN might aid the Australian economy.
    David Havyatt May 10 2011 8:16PM Telco/ISP
    The ICT impact: Budget 2011 by numbers

    The ICT impact: Budget 2011 by numbers

    John Hilvert breaks down the winners and losers.
    Brett Winterford , John Hilvert May 10 2011 8:05PM Financial Services
    iiNet targets 16 NBN points of interconnect

    iiNet targets 16 NBN points of interconnect

    Eyes fibre market share.
    Ry Crozier May 10 2011 12:05PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co reveals B2B gateway architecture

    NBN Co reveals B2B gateway architecture

    Commits to at least 95 percent availability.
    Ry Crozier May 9 2011 2:43PM Telco/ISP
    Vodafone to trial fixed-line broadband service

    Vodafone to trial fixed-line broadband service

    And TIO warns against scapegoating VHA for its mobile problems.
    Staff Writers May 4 2011 3:18PM Telco/ISP
    Small telcos offered license and USO fee reprieve

    Small telcos offered license and USO fee reprieve

    Should they survive in an NBN world.
    Brett Winterford May 2 2011 5:05PM Telco/ISP
    Australian internet ranked fourth most free

    Australian internet ranked fourth most free

    Surveillance, filtering proposals balance NBN benefits.
    Liz Tay Apr 27 2011 6:29AM Security
    Inside an NBN fibre access node

    Inside an NBN fibre access node

    A tour of Australia's exchange of the future.
    Staff Writers Apr 20 2011 6:08PM Networking
    Photos: Inside an NBN fibre access node

    Photos: Inside an NBN fibre access node

    A sneaky tour of Australia's future communications exchange.
    Apr 20 2011 4:00PM Networking
    NZ Opposition calls for halt to broadband rollout

    NZ Opposition calls for halt to broadband rollout

    Kiwi's next-gen network rollout tainted by claims of conflict of interest.
    Juha Saarinen Apr 20 2011 1:06PM Telco/ISP
    Broadband enthusiasts keep the NBN faith

    Broadband enthusiasts keep the NBN faith

    Whirlpool survey backs Government initiative.
    Brett Winterford Apr 19 2011 9:18AM Telco/ISP
    Tech metrics missing from e-health records blueprint

    Tech metrics missing from e-health records blueprint

    NBN expected to 'facilitate new opportunities'.
    John Hilvert Apr 12 2011 11:39AM Software
    Broad: Would've been cheaper to buy back Telstra

    Broad: Would've been cheaper to buy back Telstra

    The NBN alternative.
    Ry Crozier Apr 12 2011 6:01AM Telco/ISP
    NZ telcos take arms against broadband network laws

    NZ telcos take arms against broadband network laws

    Telcos unite in letter to Parliament.
    Juha Saarinen Apr 11 2011 11:43AM Telco/ISP

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