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: No Townsville NBN delays from Yasi

    Conroy: No Townsville NBN delays from Yasi

    NBN testbed work "largely completed".
    Angus Kidman Feb 3 2011 11:32AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co mulls user-pays upgrade to fibre

    NBN Co mulls user-pays upgrade to fibre

    Under pressure.
    Ry Crozier Feb 3 2011 11:02AM Telco/ISP
    Abbott eyes NBN cable contracts for flood relief

    Abbott eyes NBN cable contracts for flood relief

    Money ripe for diversion?
    Staff Writers Jan 25 2011 6:02AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co takes new home wiring to builders

    NBN Co takes new home wiring to builders

    Two specialists to consult.
    Ry Crozier Jan 24 2011 6:00AM Telco/ISP
    Abbott returns to NBN savings campaign

    Abbott returns to NBN savings campaign

    Network in sights as flood damage bill reality hits.
    Ry Crozier Jan 21 2011 11:28AM Telco/ISP
    Opinion: How to oppose the NBN

    Opinion: How to oppose the NBN

    Opposing everything is not effective opposition.
    David Havyatt Jan 21 2011 8:45AM Telco/ISP
    Alcatel-Lucent to part ways with Nucleus Connect

    Alcatel-Lucent to part ways with Nucleus Connect

    Says it completed first OSS/BSS phase for Singapore NBN OpCo.
    Ry Crozier Jan 20 2011 5:39PM Telco/ISP
    BT keeps its lines open with NBN Co

    BT keeps its lines open with NBN Co

    Plans to hire 50 commercial staff this year.
    Ry Crozier Jan 19 2011 12:10PM Telco/ISP
    Turnbull to challenge NBN Co FoI exemption

    Turnbull to challenge NBN Co FoI exemption

    No scrutiny.
    Staff Writers Jan 18 2011 1:46PM Telco/ISP
    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 Telco/ISP
    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 Security
    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 Telco/ISP
    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

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