Kevin Rudd has told "shocking lies" about the coalition's National Broadband Network (NBN) plans after construction partner Syntheo quit, Malcolm Turnbull says.
The opposition communications spokesman said Mr Rudd had said that connecting to Labor's NBN was free.
"It's not free," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.
"If you want to connect to any NBN ... you're going to have to buy a plan from a telecommunications company.
Mr Turnbull said Mr Rudd also claimed the Opposition's policy was to disconnect the NBN.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"Our policy is in fact to complete the construction of the NBN," he said.
Mr Turnbull said Labor's NBN was behind schedule and in crisis after construction partner Syntheo announced on Tuesday it was walking away from the project.
"If you pay contractors at rates that do not enable them to make a margin, they're not going to work for you for very long," he said.
"The NBN Co dramatically underestimated the cost of building this network and the time it would take to complete it."
