Labors communications spokesperson, Michelle Rowland, has outlined a very sensible approach to fixing the dud NBN. In fact, should the Coalition retain office it would be well advised to adopt Labors plan.

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As Rowland rightly points out, six years of flawed technology choices has created a delivery disaster and it will be no simple task to return the project to its original vision - fast, reliable and affordable broadband for all Australians.

Labors NBN policy does much more than presage a move back to the future - it boldly tackles the biggest obstacle holding us back - the digital divide.

Rowland rightly focusses on the hapless customers stuck with the underperforming fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) version of the so-called multi-technology mix (MTM) model.

Adopting FTTN was a foreseeable error given the known state of Telstras ageing copper wires. Rowland has correctly identified that there are serious problems with the internal wiring in many homes. Its not just the rundown copper cabling in the streets that needs to be replaced.

Sensibly, Labor has resisted pressure to make bold promises it might not be able to keep. It has clearly learned from Malcolm Turnbulls biggest mistake. In opposition Turnbull, responding to pressure from then PM Tony Abbott to destroy the NBN, clasped his hands around a bunch of ideas put forward by a few mates, without waiting to run them by the more qualified engineers at NBN Co.

Labor will wait and undertake a considered review before making any major moves.

Rowland outlined Labors NBN policy at an industry conference today. This summary is from her speech.

1.Launch a landmark Digital Inclusion Drive with the aim to increase broadband participation amongthe over 1 million Australian households not using any internet at home.

2.Direct the establishment ofa$125 millionprogram within NBNCotoreduce dropouts and improve speedsforup to 750,000 Fibre to the Node householdsby rectifyingidentified in-home cabling issuesthat are degrading performance, at no cost to the end user.

3.Establish an NBN Service Guarantee toset servicestandards andbetter safeguard consumers,andin particular small businessesagainst excessiveperiods ofNBN downtime.

4.Positionfor the future by undertakingfield trials to assess the costs and feasibility of responsible co-investment in future fibre upgrades.We will also place NBN on the COAG agenda to explore opportunities for partnershipandfuturecooperation.

5.Commencean immediatereview of the economics of the NBN to obtain a more informed picture about where weareandthe optionsgoing forward.We will also reviewthe future funding and capacity requirements of the fixed-wireless network and use this as the basis to have a more honest conversation with the public about options to address congestion challenges.

Much has been written about Australias poor showing in global broadband rankings. Likewise, while slow to catch on, mainstream media is now regularly reporting on the manifest problems that need attention. The ACCC, ACMA and the Productivity Commission have all had their say.

The simple fact is we really need #BetterBroadband. Whoever wins the upcoming elections will have to deal with arguably the biggest infrastructure bungle in the countrys history.

Whoever has that task will need time to repair the damage. What would be really helpful is if we could see all sides of politics adopt a bipartisan approach. Labor has today provided a sensible set of guidelines to help us achieve that goal.

(_Laurie Patton was CEO / Executive Director of Internet Australia, the peak NFP representing Internet users, from 2014-20_17)