THE Coalition has adopted a high-speed internet policy that would render redundant the proposed National Broadband Network.

The policy accepted by the joint parties meeting would separate Telstra into two companies - a retailer free of onerous regulation and a wholesaler, possibly named CANCo, enjoying regulated pricing required by law to provide all Australians with broadband at a minimum speed of 12 megabits per second (Mbps).

Fast enough to allow video conferencing and the download of movies within minutes, 12 Mbps is faster than most Australians enjoy at present but slow enough to usually be achievable using existing infrastructure such as Telstra's copper network and Foxtel coaxial cables and satellite and wireless technology.

By contrast Labor's plan would see Telstra relinquish its wholesale role and shut down its copper network, agreeing not to use its Foxtel cables to compete with the National Broadband Network.