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.

    • Conroy talks up NBN participation

    Conroy talks up NBN participation

    International experience highlights effort required.
    Stephen Withers Mar 11 2011 12:45PM Telco/ISP
    Thodey: Telco users favour video over text

    Thodey: Telco users favour video over text

    "Quicker" to digest.
    Stephen Withers Mar 10 2011 5:02PM Telco/ISP
    Internode boosts intercap fibre links to 10 Gbps

    Internode boosts intercap fibre links to 10 Gbps

    Also takes more Basslink capacity.
    Ry Crozier Mar 9 2011 1:37PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra makes case for NBN cherry-picking

    Telstra makes case for NBN cherry-picking

    Telco says market theory argues it "should be allowed" to pick and choose.
    Ry Crozier Mar 9 2011 11:38AM Telco/ISP
    Senate to examine comms systems in disasters

    Senate to examine comms systems in disasters

    Review influenced by the spate of recent natural disasters.
    John Hilvert Mar 7 2011 3:04PM Telco/ISP
    E-health protocols trump network speed in NBN inquiry

    E-health protocols trump network speed in NBN inquiry

    Data transfer protocols would "save lives the fastest", committee hears.
    Liz Tay Mar 4 2011 11:14AM Security
    ACCC splits up NBN Points of Interconnect sites

    ACCC splits up NBN Points of Interconnect sites

    Mega PoIs, Wangaratta to be broken up.
    Ry Crozier Mar 2 2011 3:50PM Telco/ISP
    Greens chalk up win on NBN oversight

    Greens chalk up win on NBN oversight

    UPDATE: Scope of Joint Parliamentary Committee finalised.
    Brett Winterford Mar 2 2011 10:10AM Telco/ISP
    iiNet calls 'cherry-picking' at South Brisbane exchange

    iiNet calls 'cherry-picking' at South Brisbane exchange

    Seeks clarity on open access.
    Ry Crozier Mar 1 2011 1:10PM Telco/ISP
    Internode slams NBN cherry-pick rules

    Internode slams NBN cherry-pick rules

    Could affect Agile data centre link project.
    Ry Crozier Mar 1 2011 12:44PM Telco/ISP
    Pipe Networks seeks exemption from cherry-pick rules

    Pipe Networks seeks exemption from cherry-pick rules

    Questions why LTE operators would be exempt.
    Ry Crozier Mar 1 2011 12:41PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra fears vertical integration of NBN Co

    Telstra fears vertical integration of NBN Co

    Demands closure of "loopholes".
    Ry Crozier Mar 1 2011 12:41PM Telco/ISP
    Research project tackles NBN attitudes in Willunga

    Research project tackles NBN attitudes in Willunga

    Sydney Uni researcher asked to create baseline study of first release site.
    Brett Winterford Mar 1 2011 5:50AM Telco/ISP
    Photos: Field trip to NBN site in Willunga, SA

    Photos: Field trip to NBN site in Willunga, SA

    Sydney University's Dr Melissa Gregg travels to Willunga, South Australia to canvas attitudes to technology and the national broadband network as the first fibre gets deployed on Australia's mainland.
    Feb 28 2011 3:58PM Telco/ISP
    NBN critics misunderstand wireless: NetComm

    NBN critics misunderstand wireless: NetComm

    But optical fibre will outpace wireless for the foreseeable future.
    Nate Cochrane Feb 28 2011 3:00PM Telco/ISP
    NextDC warns global transit could beat NBN prices

    NextDC warns global transit could beat NBN prices

    Contemplates future with limited competition.
    Ry Crozier Feb 28 2011 11:08AM Telco/ISP
    Optus: Break NBN Co into baby telcos

    Optus: Break NBN Co into baby telcos

    And CEO takes a swipe at iiNet No.2 claims.
    Nate Cochrane Feb 27 2011 5:49PM Telco/ISP
    Greens win FOI concession on NBN Co

    Greens win FOI concession on NBN Co

    No longer exempt.
    Staff Writers Feb 24 2011 10:26AM Telco/ISP
    CSIRO wireless to get 10Gbps backhaul

    CSIRO wireless to get 10Gbps backhaul

    To provide symmetric data transfer rates in NBN world.
    Liz Tay Feb 23 2011 2:54PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra and NBN Co in greenfield fibre deal

    Telstra and NBN Co in greenfield fibre deal

    Telstra processes housing estate fibre applications as a managed service.
    Ry Crozier Feb 23 2011 11:00AM Telco/ISP

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