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 orders $500 million of fibre cables

    NBN Co orders $500 million of fibre cables

    Corning goes overhead, Prysmian gets grounded.
    Ry Crozier Jan 17 2011 2:47PM Networking
    NBN Co awards $110m enclosure deal

    NBN Co awards $110m enclosure deal

    Frames, racks and connector assembly.
    Ry Crozier Jan 17 2011 12:51PM Hardware
    Opinion: Broadband is needed, and needed now

    Opinion: Broadband is needed, and needed now

    Applications in health, environmental and resource management could justify NBN investment.
    Terry Cutler Jan 17 2011 9:06AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to sub-contract new housing estates

    NBN Co to sub-contract new housing estates

    Bankrolls fibre kit and backhaul.
    Ry Crozier Jan 10 2011 6:00AM Telco/ISP
    Internode customers get NBN uplink win

    Internode customers get NBN uplink win

    Huge boost in line with proposed national standards.
    Ry Crozier Jan 5 2011 4:02PM Telco/ISP
    Turnbull "naive" on NBN's HD future: Hackett

    Turnbull "naive" on NBN's HD future: Hackett

    Opposition spokesman's faith in ADSL2+ is "badly researched", says Internode.
    Staff Writers Dec 21 2010 2:27PM Telco/ISP
    Convergence Review: An opportunity to think broadly

    Convergence Review: An opportunity to think broadly

    David Havyatt calls for the NBN and broadcasting to be regulated together.
    David Havyatt Dec 21 2010 11:20AM Telco/ISP
    iTnews' Top 10 technology newsmakers: 2010

    iTnews' Top 10 technology newsmakers: 2010

    Who made the biggest impact in 2010?
    Brett Winterford Dec 21 2010 10:54AM Strategy
    Skills supply could affect NBN's roll-out

    Skills supply could affect NBN's roll-out

    NBN Co makes training provisions.
    John Hilvert Dec 21 2010 12:01AM Telco/ISP
    The NBN Co Business plan at a glance

    The NBN Co Business plan at a glance

    Everything you need to know in one fell swoop.
    Staff Writers Dec 20 2010 5:19PM Networking
    Greedy Aussies' appetite for broadband drives NBN forecasts

    Greedy Aussies' appetite for broadband drives NBN forecasts

    But NBN Co will fix prices to ensure seven percent returns.
    Nate Cochrane Dec 20 2010 4:16PM Telco/ISP
    Turnbull: NBN taxpayer cost "blowing out"

    Turnbull: NBN taxpayer cost "blowing out"

    Coalition slams NBN Co plan.
    Ry Crozier Dec 20 2010 4:14PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Plan: a business case for the cup half-full

    NBN Plan: a business case for the cup half-full

    Commentary: NBN plan stacks up on optimistic assumptions.
    Brett Winterford Dec 20 2010 3:51PM Networking
    NBN Co wholesale prices to start at $24 a month

    NBN Co wholesale prices to start at $24 a month

    Symmetric add-ons also costed.
    Ry Crozier Dec 20 2010 12:24PM Telco/ISP
    Internode warns of NBN backhaul cartel

    Internode warns of NBN backhaul cartel

    Compromise will be "bad for everyone".
    Ry Crozier Dec 20 2010 10:14AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to set up Greenfields fibre panel

    NBN Co to set up Greenfields fibre panel

    Incumbent operators win clarity.
    Ry Crozier Dec 10 2010 7:34AM Networking
    AIIA lobbies States for NBN opt-out laws

    AIIA lobbies States for NBN opt-out laws

    Says current system will delay broadband benefits.
    Ry Crozier Dec 8 2010 12:19PM Telco/ISP
    NSW Govt to fund NBN apps research

    NSW Govt to fund NBN apps research

    New research centre to open next year.
    Staff Writers Dec 7 2010 12:45PM Software
    Conroy finds NBN support in OECD stats

    Conroy finds NBN support in OECD stats

    Australia slides.
    Ry Crozier Dec 7 2010 12:33PM Telco/ISP
    Candle: Skills shortfall to hit NBN

    Candle: Skills shortfall to hit NBN

    Call for relaxed rules on 457 visas.
    Staff Writers Dec 7 2010 7:18AM Financial Services

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