Coalition pushes $6b 'affordable broadband' plan in lieu of NBN

A Coalition government would ditch the national broadband network and seek to offer high-speed internet using a mix of optical fibre, hybrid fibre coaxial, wireless, DSL and satellite technology.

Announcing its $6 billion broadband policy this morning, the Liberals and National claimed their policy would by 2016 allow 97 per cent of premises to be serviced by networks able to offer speeds of up to 100 Megabits-per-second (Mps), down to a minimum of 12 Mps.

The government's NBN, due to be completed by 2017 uses optical fibre to deliver speeds of 100 Mps to 93 per cent of the population, with the remaining 7 per cent getting speeds of up to 12 Mps using wireless and satellite.

But while the government's policy guarantees speeds at 100 Mps, the Coalition merely say its network will be capable of such speeds.

The Coalition has emphasised that it is seeking to provide "affordable broadband" and will seek to stimulate competition rather than creating an infrastructure monopoly.

"The Coalition's plan will stimulate a vibrant, private sector-based broadband market, with Government involved to encourage competition and ensure services reach all Australians," shadow communications minister Tony Smith and shadow finance minister Andrew Robb said in a statement.

The Coalition plans to invest $2.75 billion, with the expectation of a further $750 million private sector funding, to create a national competitive fibre optic backbone by 2017.

The backhaul fibre would be accessible to any telecommunications company to provide broadband on multiple technologies.

In total the Coalition will provide up to $6.315 billion over seven years in grant and investment funding to encourage the building of new access and backhaul networks.