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.

    • 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
    Space Policy Unit calls for Australian satellites

    Space Policy Unit calls for Australian satellites

    Technological reliance raises Government concerns.
    Liz Tay Feb 23 2011 6:10AM Telco/ISP
    Brisbane Council cans i3 sewer fibre deal: reports

    Brisbane Council cans i3 sewer fibre deal: reports

    Report suggests looking for alternative provider.
    Ry Crozier Feb 22 2011 9:24PM Telco/ISP
    Analysis: Did NBN Co pay too much for wireless spectrum?

    Analysis: Did NBN Co pay too much for wireless spectrum?

    David Havyatt crunches the numbers - and the results aren't rosy.
    David Havyatt Feb 21 2011 1:10PM Telco/ISP
    Comment: Plenty of room for NBN wireless and Telstra's LTE

    Comment: Plenty of room for NBN wireless and Telstra's LTE

    Why Telstra's plans won't impede the NBN.
    David Havyatt Feb 18 2011 6:49AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co buys Austar wireless spectrum for $120m

    NBN Co buys Austar wireless spectrum for $120m

    Second time lucky for asset sale?
    Ry Crozier Feb 17 2011 12:14PM Telco/ISP
    CCC weighs into NBN uptake debate

    CCC weighs into NBN uptake debate

    Dry cleaners didn't put washing machines out of business.
    Ry Crozier Feb 16 2011 3:07PM Telco/ISP
    Conroy plays down Telstra LTE threat to NBN

    Conroy plays down Telstra LTE threat to NBN

    Wireless complementary ... but fibre is better.
    Staff Writers Feb 15 2011 3:30PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra upgrades metro Next G network to LTE

    Telstra upgrades metro Next G network to LTE

    First commercial deployment in Australia.
    Ry Crozier Feb 15 2011 6:10AM Hardware
    NBN Co eyes April start for Global Switch

    NBN Co eyes April start for Global Switch

    Transition from Big Blue to begin.
    Ry Crozier Feb 15 2011 6:00AM Networking

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