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.

    • 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
    Victoria cold on NBN opt-out: report

    Victoria cold on NBN opt-out: report

    Connections should be optional, Premier says.
    Staff Writers Dec 6 2010 2:55PM Telco/ISP
    Analysis: The long, hard slog to split Telstra

    Analysis: The long, hard slog to split Telstra

    A saga decades in the making.
    David Havyatt Dec 3 2010 6:05AM Telco/ISP
    Stanton: High-speed internet could be worth $182bn

    Stanton: High-speed internet could be worth $182bn

    Economic uplift over next decade.
    Ry Crozier Dec 3 2010 6:00AM Telco/ISP
    Tassie Libs try for NBN feedback

    Tassie Libs try for NBN feedback

    Sans "Labor spin".
    Ry Crozier Dec 2 2010 3:13PM Telco/ISP
    Access Economics study: NBN great for industry

    Access Economics study: NBN great for industry

    According to Macquarie Telecom-sponsored "sentiment" study.
    Brett Winterford Dec 2 2010 1:42PM Networking
    Government to trial telehealth at NBN sites

    Government to trial telehealth at NBN sites

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

    Amdocs sees NBN expanding provider market

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

    British giant BAE acquires Sydney's Stratsec

    BAE's local IT security operations to merge with Stratsec.
    Nate Cochrane Nov 30 2010 11:35AM Security
    Turnbull attempts to change Telstra split bill

    Turnbull attempts to change Telstra split bill

    Last ditch effort to stall and thwart bill with more amendments.
    Ry Crozier Nov 29 2010 3:46PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra split bill approved

    Telstra split bill approved

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

    NBN cherry-picker laws introduced

    Fibre operators face new future.
    Ry Crozier Nov 29 2010 11:43AM Telco/ISP

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