Coalition set to launch policy on NBN
Mr Turnbull said the release of the broadband policy was "very imminent" during his trip to Tasmania promoting his version of the NBN to IT executives there. "I don't think there'll be any surprises in it, frankly," he said.
It is rumoured that Mr Turnbull will release the alternative broadband policy at an industry conference next week.
In a speech in Melbourne on Thursday night, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said he would repeal the Labor government's mining tax and carbon tax and shut down government agencies such as the Department of Climate Change.
"We will stop throwing good money after bad on the NBN," he said.
Mr Turnbull restated the Coalition's commitment to finishing its version of the network, which is likely to involve using Telstra and Optus' existing HFC cable - or TV cable - network.
"We will complete the construction of the NBN," he said. "We're not going to tear it up or cancel it or do any of those terrible things that Julia Gillard says we will.
"The idea that I'd be destroying valuable investments in telecoms infrastructure - that's the sort of thing the Labor Party might do, it's not something I'd ever do."
The core of the Coalition's alternative version of broadband is to roll out fibre to cabinets on streets but not to homes, involving using Telstra's copper wire for "last mile" connection to homes.
Mr Turnbull is believed to prefer to roll out fibre to areas where there is no existing HFC cable network. However, telco operators oppose any alternative policy involving the continued use of the Telstra pay TV cable network.
NBN Co chief executive Mike Quigley admitted recently that the rollout would be delayed by three months, blaming a lack of construction workers.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
The Coalition's long‑awaited NBN policy is expected imminently — Malcolm Turnbull, the Opposition communications spokesman, said the release could come as early as next week and it is rumoured he may unveil the alternative policy at an industry conference.
The Coalition plans to complete its version of the NBN by rolling out fibre to street cabinets rather than to individual homes, using existing infrastructure such as Telstra and Optus HFC (TV cable) networks and Telstra's copper wiring for the 'last mile' connection to homes.
Under the Coalition's approach, fibre would run to neighbourhood cabinets on the street, but the final connection into homes would use Telstra's existing copper wires — meaning the 'last mile' would not be replaced with fibre to the premises.
No. Malcolm Turnbull has said the Coalition will complete construction of its version of the NBN and will not 'tear it up' or cancel it. He also rejected claims that his policy would destroy valuable telecommunications investments.
The Coalition is likely to make use of Telstra's and Optus's existing HFC (pay TV cable) networks as part of its rollout where those networks exist, and to rely on Telstra's copper wires for the final connections to homes.
According to the article, telco operators oppose any alternative policy that involves the continued use of the Telstra pay TV cable network.
Yes. NBN Co chief executive Mike Quigley recently admitted the rollout would be delayed by three months, attributing the delay to a shortage of construction workers.
Investors should watch for the formal policy release (likely imminent and possibly announced at an industry conference), statements from Telstra, Optus and NBN Co about how the plan would be implemented, and any industry reaction — especially around use of HFC networks and possible impacts from construction delays.
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