The broadband policies of the eight parties in Parliament are compared in the table below.
The Herald is covering all the major policy areas in a series running throughout the election campaign.
| Party | Policy | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour | $1 billion over 10 years for high-speed connections - $500 million in first five years comprising: $340m Broadband InvestmentFund ($250m urban, $75m rural); $15m towards new transtasman cable; $160m for health, education, government connectivity. Wants 20Mbps bandwidth to 80 per cent cent of homes by 2012; fibre bandwidth to 80 per cent by 2018. | |
| National | $1.5 billion over six years for open-access fibre to the home reaching 75 per cent population. Public-private partnerships to fund remaining cost. New network must avoid "excessive duplication" and not "line the pockets" of existing broadband networks. Broadband Challenge Fund doubled to $48 million for rural areas. | |
| NZ First | Wants open, affordable and better communications; significant investment in broadband to improve international competitiveness, worker skills and productivity. Will ensure competitive prices to improve uptake. Broadly supports Labour's $500m plan, opposes National's plan, concerned it would provide Telecom with $1.5 billion of Taxpayers' money. | |
| Greens | Advocates unbundling and breaking of Telecom's monopoly. Supports roll-out of broadband at reasonable cost to every community; more local initiatives to improve access to the net such as community technology hubs in schools, tertiary institutions, public libraries. Would research feasibility municipally owned free wireless internet services. | |
| Maori Party | Supports the need to invest in a quality, accessible and affordable broadband network in New Zealand. Supported investment made in Budget 2008, the Telecommunications Amendment Bill and local loop unbundling. Wants amended Telecommunications Act to introduce price regulation so all communities can get broadband at affordable rates. | |
| United Future | Wants broadband extended into rural and hard-to-service urban areas and overall delivery improved. Would commit to a minimum $500m government investment by 2014 in partnership with other telcos' investment. Will take steps to safeguard children from harmful internet material | |
| Act | Broadband fundamental for a prosperous NZ. Doesn't support government investment. Will remove red tape, cut government waste, and lower taxes to pave the way for private sector broadband expansion. Would regulate for universal ducting. Against regulation that puts investment and property rights at risk. | |
| Progressive Party | Supported Labour's $500m plan. Wants NZ in top five OECD countries for broadband speeds, uptake and cost competitiveness within seven years. Supports government investment in international links, pro competitive regulation, retention of Telecommunications Commission, extension of broadband to rural areas, broadcasters to move more content online. | |
