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.

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    Connections should be optional, Premier says.
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    Ry Crozier Dec 3 2010 6:00AM Telco/ISP
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    Ry Crozier Dec 2 2010 3:13PM Telco/ISP
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    Brett Winterford Dec 2 2010 1:42PM Networking
    Government to trial telehealth at NBN sites

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    Armidale and Kiama get up to $4 million.
    Liz Tay Dec 1 2010 1:31PM Software
    Amdocs sees NBN expanding provider market

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    New players to emerge.
    Ry Crozier Nov 30 2010 3:10PM Software
    British giant BAE acquires Sydney's Stratsec

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    Nate Cochrane Nov 30 2010 11:35AM Security
    Turnbull attempts to change Telstra split bill

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    Ry Crozier Nov 29 2010 3:46PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra split bill approved

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    Conroy brands no challenge "a fail".
    Ry Crozier Nov 29 2010 2:46PM Telco/ISP
    NBN cherry-picker laws introduced

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    Fibre operators face new future.
    Ry Crozier Nov 29 2010 11:43AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra split bill passes Senate

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    Structural separation gets the green light.
    Liz Tay Nov 26 2010 1:32PM Telco/ISP
    Ludlam plea to Coalition to debate Telstra bill

    Ludlam plea to Coalition to debate Telstra bill

    Slow progress.
    Ry Crozier Nov 25 2010 3:45PM Telco/ISP
    Broadband alliance fears major NBN cost blowout

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    Finance figures tested.
    Ry Crozier Nov 25 2010 3:32PM Telco/ISP
    iPrimus signs up Smithton school to NBN

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    New 100 Mbps service.
    Staff Writers Nov 25 2010 11:36AM Telco/ISP
    Fielding, Xenophon back Telstra split bill

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    Vote anticipated today.
    Ry Crozier Nov 25 2010 7:19AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to build wireless network from late 2011

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    Expedited plan revealed.
    Ry Crozier Nov 24 2010 3:42PM Telco/ISP
    Gillard to reveal NBN plan "summary"

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    New document created from the secret plan.
    Ry Crozier Nov 24 2010 2:04PM Telco/ISP
    NSW Govt to appoint chief NBN negotiator

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    For State asset access.
    Ry Crozier Nov 24 2010 12:35PM Telco/ISP
    Senate allows Telstra bill to progress

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    Government passes second hurdle.
    Ry Crozier , Brett Winterford Nov 24 2010 11:41AM Telco/ISP

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