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.

    • 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 Telco/ISP
    Greenhill finds NBN plan "reasonable"

    Greenhill finds NBN plan "reasonable"

    Full report stays secret.
    Ry Crozier Feb 14 2011 1:40PM Telco/ISP
    Port Mac council seeks free NBN access points

    Port Mac council seeks free NBN access points

    Demand generation.
    Ry Crozier Feb 14 2011 1:30PM Telco/ISP
    Photos: NBN Co trials vacuum trenching in Kiama Downs

    Photos: NBN Co trials vacuum trenching in Kiama Downs

    How your underground lead-in might be dug.
    Ry Crozier Feb 10 2011 5:18PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co underground lead-ins to Kiama homes

    NBN Co underground lead-ins to Kiama homes

    iTnews explores an NBN Co fibre distribution area in the first release site of Kiama Downs as fibre connections are made to homes.
    Feb 10 2011 4:04PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra reaches "key terms" in NBN negotiations

    Telstra reaches "key terms" in NBN negotiations

    UPDATE: Government and Telstra also agree to USO, re-training terms.
    Ry Crozier Feb 10 2011 9:56AM Telco/ISP
    Exclusive: NBN Co puts second data centre in Polaris

    Exclusive: NBN Co puts second data centre in Polaris

    Deal signed.
    Ry Crozier Feb 10 2011 6:45AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co fights inferior image of fixed wireless services

    NBN Co fights inferior image of fixed wireless services

    Communities spar for fibre.
    Ry Crozier Feb 9 2011 8:51AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co invites access seekers to play in sandpit

    NBN Co invites access seekers to play in sandpit

    National test regime.
    Ry Crozier Feb 8 2011 12:29PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co details network of spares

    NBN Co details network of spares

    Repair kits earmarked for POIs and FAN sites.
    Ry Crozier Feb 8 2011 6:00AM Hardware
    ISPs welcome NBN Co plan to embed staff

    ISPs welcome NBN Co plan to embed staff

    Come sit in my NOC.
    Ry Crozier Feb 7 2011 3:00PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co explores twin ONT option for houses

    NBN Co explores twin ONT option for houses

    Double your broadband ports.
    Ry Crozier Feb 4 2011 6:00AM Telco/ISP

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