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.

    • Xenophon reserves Telstra split bill judgement

    Xenophon reserves Telstra split bill judgement

    Favours structural separation of Telstra.
    Ry Crozier Nov 24 2010 6:27AM Telco/ISP
    Xenophon emerges from Gillard NBN meeting

    Xenophon emerges from Gillard NBN meeting

    Working 19-hour days to cut through "mess".
    Ry Crozier Nov 23 2010 5:31PM Telco/ISP
    Conroy refuses to release Greenhill study of NBN plan

    Conroy refuses to release Greenhill study of NBN plan

    Tests Coalition patience.
    Ry Crozier Nov 23 2010 3:35PM Telco/ISP
    Government announces another NBN Inquiry

    Government announces another NBN Inquiry

    Committee features 50 percent ALP Ministers, plus Oakeshott.
    John Hilvert Nov 23 2010 3:27PM Telco/ISP
    Conroy exits Coalition-dominated Telstra debate

    Conroy exits Coalition-dominated Telstra debate

    Opponents ask why Australia needs 100 Mbps speeds.
    Ry Crozier Nov 23 2010 1:59PM Telco/ISP
    Coalition "outrage" at Greens NBN deal

    Coalition "outrage" at Greens NBN deal

    Productivity Commission caught in middle.
    Ry Crozier Nov 22 2010 1:03PM Telco/ISP
    Greens hobble proposed NBN sell-off

    Greens hobble proposed NBN sell-off

    Put to parliamentary vote.
    Staff Writers Nov 22 2010 10:51AM Telco/ISP
    Greens see red on NBN NDA

    Greens see red on NBN NDA

    Seven years too long.
    Staff Writers Nov 21 2010 10:54PM Telco/ISP
    Telstra wants NBN agreement for Christmas

    Telstra wants NBN agreement for Christmas

    Faces Senate hurdle.
    Ry Crozier Nov 19 2010 1:23PM Financial Services
    Abbott loses NBN-led censure motion

    Abbott loses NBN-led censure motion

    Gillard survives.
    Ry Crozier Nov 18 2010 3:39PM Telco/ISP
    Libs to re-introduce Turnbull bill in Senate

    Libs to re-introduce Turnbull bill in Senate

    Tries to strong-arm Labor into making NBN plan public.
    Ry Crozier Nov 18 2010 3:13PM Telco/ISP
    NBN plan mutiny could lead to Senate delay

    NBN plan mutiny could lead to Senate delay

    Storm erupts over NBN Co business plan.
    Ry Crozier Nov 18 2010 10:04AM Telco/ISP
    Photos: Desert backhaul diggers - Part II

    Photos: Desert backhaul diggers - Part II

    Nextgen Networks have sent iTnews their latest snaps from the construction of the Federal Government's $250 million regional backbone blackspots network.
    Nov 18 2010 9:30AM Networking
    Senate agrees to seek out NBN plan

    Senate agrees to seek out NBN plan

    Has Gillard jumped the gun?
    Ry Crozier Nov 18 2010 1:03AM Telco/ISP
    Conroy pressured to reveal NBN Co business plan

    Conroy pressured to reveal NBN Co business plan

    Independents up campaign after passing Telstra split bill.
    Ry Crozier Nov 17 2010 7:55AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co spends $9.5m on data centre kit

    NBN Co spends $9.5m on data centre kit

    Cisco, EMC, VMware, BMC Software win out.
    Ry Crozier Nov 16 2010 3:12PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co willing to move on points of interconnect

    NBN Co willing to move on points of interconnect

    Small service providers need to "step up" to have their voices heard, says NBN Co design engineer Peter Ferris.
    Nate Cochrane Nov 16 2010 2:33PM Telco/ISP
    Tasmania readies NBN "opt-out" legislation

    Tasmania readies NBN "opt-out" legislation

    Government makes good on October plan.
    Ry Crozier Nov 16 2010 12:01AM Telco/ISP
    Regional backhaul: We're halfway there

    Regional backhaul: We're halfway there

    Whoah, living on a prayer.
    Stephen Withers Nov 11 2010 6:10PM Telco/ISP
    Backhaul providers lobby against NBN POI proposal

    Backhaul providers lobby against NBN POI proposal

    Industry polarised over centralised approach.
    Liz Tay Nov 11 2010 3:59PM Telco/ISP

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