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.

    • Scrapped Tas-NBN joint venture deemed unnecessary

    Scrapped Tas-NBN joint venture deemed unnecessary

    Joint ownership model falls to contractor arrangements.
    Liz Tay Nov 10 2010 2:44PM Telco/ISP
    McKinsey lands USO Co consultancy deal

    McKinsey lands USO Co consultancy deal

    Wins more NBN-related work.
    Ry Crozier Nov 8 2010 11:25AM Telco/ISP
    CSIRO develops wireless bush broadband

    CSIRO develops wireless bush broadband

    Ngara technology offers 12Mbps via TV.
    Staff Writers Nov 4 2010 1:53AM Telco/ISP
    Telstra values NBN deal at $16 billion

    Telstra values NBN deal at $16 billion

    Disputes copper value by competition regulator.
    Ry Crozier Nov 1 2010 12:51PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co's first-year ICT budget hits $6.4m

    NBN Co's first-year ICT budget hits $6.4m

    First annual report released.
    Ry Crozier Nov 1 2010 11:03AM Financial Services
    Vic estates need fat pipes to meet NBN mandate

    Vic estates need fat pipes to meet NBN mandate

    New rules for Melbourne's growth areas.
    Ry Crozier Oct 29 2010 6:00AM Telco/ISP
    Nokia-Siemens snares up to $400m NBN deal

    Nokia-Siemens snares up to $400m NBN deal

    Optical transmission contract.
    Ry Crozier Oct 28 2010 2:36PM Networking
    NBN wins fans and critics in TV debate

    NBN wins fans and critics in TV debate

    Debate transcends weeks of political slanging.
    Ry Crozier Oct 27 2010 6:36AM Telco/ISP
    Windsor unlikely to back Turnbull NBN bill

    Windsor unlikely to back Turnbull NBN bill

    Re-iterates support for project.
    Ry Crozier Oct 26 2010 11:23PM Telco/ISP
    ACCC wants final say on NBN, Telstra

    ACCC wants final say on NBN, Telstra

    Sees off potential court intervention.
    Ry Crozier Oct 25 2010 1:14PM Telco/ISP
    Support the NBN? Malcolm's in the middle

    Support the NBN? Malcolm's in the middle

    No guarantee of bipartisan support.
    Ry Crozier Oct 25 2010 11:17AM Telco/ISP
    Victoria opens round two of $15m NBN business fund

    Victoria opens round two of $15m NBN business fund

    Remote music lessons get State Government grant.
    Liz Tay Oct 22 2010 12:20PM Financial Services
    How a cost-benefit analysis could help the NBN case

    How a cost-benefit analysis could help the NBN case

    If you're asking the right questions.
    David Havyatt Oct 22 2010 7:11AM Telco/ISP
    Samuel seeks distance from cost-benefit debate

    Samuel seeks distance from cost-benefit debate

    Sits firmly back on the fence.
    Ry Crozier Oct 21 2010 2:23PM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co: Three-quarters of residents consent to fibre

    NBN Co: Three-quarters of residents consent to fibre

    East and west OK but sites slow to catch on north and south.
    Ry Crozier Oct 20 2010 6:27AM Telco/ISP
    Turnbull creates bill to force cost-benefit analysis

    Turnbull creates bill to force cost-benefit analysis

    Wants 10-year NBN plan.
    Staff Writers Oct 19 2010 2:02PM Telco/ISP
    Opinion: Is Brisbane's fibre project really a win for Conroy?

    Opinion: Is Brisbane's fibre project really a win for Conroy?

    Cherry-picking the positives.
    Ry Crozier Oct 18 2010 7:35AM Telco/ISP
    Conroy readies new laws to curb NBN competitors

    Conroy readies new laws to curb NBN competitors

    Brings potential "cherry-pickers" into line.
    Ry Crozier Oct 18 2010 6:00AM Telco/ISP
    Cost-benefit analysis: a policy tool or political club?

    Cost-benefit analysis: a policy tool or political club?

    A history of projects undertaken without cost-benefit analysis.
    David Havyatt Oct 15 2010 7:47AM Telco/ISP
    NBN Co to reveal Gungahlin NBN area in weeks

    NBN Co to reveal Gungahlin NBN area in weeks

    Broadband campaigner made council president.
    Ry Crozier Oct 14 2010 11:48AM Telco/ISP

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