Category net neutrality

What you need to know about Biden’s FCC Nominations
Joe Biden recently presented his nominations for the FCC. Here’s what that means for America’s Internet.

The BTL…What? What is the BTLR report and what it means for the future of our Internet
The report grants the CRTC far-reaching powers over media, but fails to provide systemic solutions to the issue of telecom affordability and access.

Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review Panel releases its “what we heard” interim report
The report contains few surprises and a variety of different themes relevant to the future of the Internet in Canada

Ajit Pai’s worst nightmare: A congressional bill to save Net Neutrality
The Democratic congressional leadership just introduced a bill that could save Net Neutrality for real.

Our submission to the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Act review is in — thanks for speaking out!
We submitted our views to the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Act review on behalf of the OpenMedia community to foster an open and innovative Internet in Canada. Thank you for adding your voices!

Why is CRTC chair repeating Big Telecom’s talking points against net neutrality?
It’s a problem when the CRTC chair uses industry talking points when calling for greater “flexibility” for Net Neutrality. Internet users in Canada can’t let this fly.

Let’s Bring Net Neutrality Back For Good!
Today is the anniversary of the FCC’s repeal of Net Neutrality and we need to make sure we do everything we can to bring back these important protections for the open Internet.

The Future of Canada’s Internet Is In Our Hands
Our best chance in decades to put the public interest at the heart of the laws that govern Canada’s Internet is here. This is how we seize it.
Net Neutrality is under attack in Canada — here’s how we save it
The CRTC Chair has recently expressed a lack of commitment to robust Net Neutrality protections in Canada, which raises serious concerns. Here's how we fight back:

I was worried. Now, I’m filled with gratitude.
Your support fuels our work and the people who are behind it. Thank you so much!

I was worried. Now, I’m filled with gratitude.
Your support fuels our work and the people who are behind it. Thank you so much!

Your Net Neutrality Billboards in Action
Thanks to your generous support, the OpenMedia community put up two giant billboards In Utah and Colorado to ensure your representatives hear your message to restore Net Neutrality.

Net Neutrality and affordability at the heart of the Canadian Telecom Act review
Questions about funding Canadian Content leave the Internet Tax problematically on the table in the Broadcast Act review

Huge win for open Internet as U.S. Senate votes to restore Net Neutrality protections
Next step is for the House of Representatives to vote to reject the Federal Communications Commission’s assault on the open Internet — so we must keep up the pressure!

Bell’s Website Blocking Plan Is Authoritarian Overkill
"With legal options for content delivery on the upswing, effective tools for curbing piracy already in place, and illegal sharing on the downward slide, Bell's website blocking proposal is like using a machine gun to kill a mosquito."

So Long and Thanks for All the Comments
It’s goodbye, but it’s not the end. Thank you for everything, and let’s keep working to build a more just world, online and off.

New Year, New Fight: 2017 in review and the battle ahead for digital rights
From Net Neutrality to proposed mandatory content filtering in the EU, 2017 was a big year for Internet advocates. What's next in 2018?

You made these Net Neutrality billboards possible!
Big shout out to all of you who chipped in to help us put massive Net Neutrality billboards in the U.S.! Stay tuned for the next steps in the fight, because it’s far from over.
U.S. Federal Communications Commission votes to repeal Net Neutrality protections that ensure an open and equal Internet
Canadian Internet users and businesses will feel the impact of this vote on their pocketbooks, with a loss of innovation and potential harm to policies here at home

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announces proposal to dismantle U.S. Net Neutrality protections in a move that will have ramifications for Canada’s Internet
If passed, the order will threaten Canada’s current robust Net Neutrality north of the border and have serious implications on Canadian Internet users.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announces proposal to dismantle Net Neutrality protections
If passed, the order will make the Internet more expensive and give already powerful telecom companies even more control over citizens’ online experience.

How Can NAFTA Get It Right on Copyright? We Went to Washington D.C. to Find Out
OpenMedia's external legal counsel Cynthia Khoo reports back from collaborating with copyright experts and allies in Washington, D.C., to help craft user-centric copyright principles for an updated NAFTA.

Defending Your Digital Rights in NAFTA 2.0
We recently submitted a brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT), recommending what the government should do to ensure Canadians’ best interests are protected when it comes to how our digital rights are treated in a new NAFTA.

Taking Your Voices on NAFTA to Ottawa
OpenMedia's external legal counsel Cynthia Khoo reports back from meeting with Tracey Ramsey, NDP Critic for International Trade and Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on International Trade

The final word on Net Neutrality
We have one last chance to get voices on the public record ahead of the FCC's final crucial deadline on August 30.

Internet breaks records with massive Day of Action for Net Neutrality
On Wednesday, July 12, the Internet came together to stand up for an open web

NAFTA renegotiation could undermine Canada’s digital freedoms
An imminent renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) raises big concerns in the Canadian digital rights sphere, including the undermining of our stronger privacy, net neutrality and intellectual property policies.

Federal Communications Commission votes to begin dismantling Net Neutrality
Trump-appointed FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is backing a plan that will eliminate Title II protections that ensure all traffic is treated equally online

FCC Chair Ajit Pai Confirms Internet Users’ Worst Fears As He Announces Plans to Undo Net Neutrality
Get ready Internet advocates – one of the most important battles in the history of the Internet is upon us.

Letter to the community: Standing together in the face of adversity
In the wake of recent events, we thought it was time to check in. Here’s a letter to our community from our Executive Director Laura Tribe. Let us know what you think in the comments below!

FCC raises concerns about zero rated programs
Looks like AT&T is playing foul again when it comes to net neutrality.

CRTC rules that website blocking provisions of Québec’s Bill 74 violate federal law
Pro-Internet advocates welcome ruling, having argued that Bill 74’s website blocking raises censorship concerns and violates rules which keep our Internet free and open.

Make sure you’re paying attention to the net neutrality debate
On net neutrality in Canada: have you been watching? Watch closer.
OpenMedia’s presentation at the CRTC hearings on differential pricing (a.k.a. zero-rating)
With support from 55,000 Canadians, OpenMedia testified at crucial CRTC hearings on November 3, 2016, and called on them to End Data Caps. Here's what our team had to say.

“Listen to Canadians, Aim Higher for Canada, and Protect Innovation for All” — OpenMedia at today’s #EndDataCaps CRTC hearings
Today, with support from 55,000 of you, OpenMedia testified at crucial CRTC hearings, and called on them to End Data Caps. Here’s what happened!
We’re live at the CRTC!
We're glued to our screens and we know you are too! Find out below all the ways you can follow us at today's CRTC hearing.

Tomorrow, we’re testifying at the CRTC to End Data Caps! Here’s how to follow us live
On Thursday, your OpenMedia team is testifying at the CRTC, calling on them to stand up for consumers and End Data Caps. Here’s how to stay in the loop.
It’s Time for Canadian Data Plans to Catch Up to Our Changing Viewing Habits
"Dollars for data, Canadians are paying more for gigabyte than just about anywhere else in the world."

Looking for unlimited Internet? You’re much better off with an indie provider, finds our new report
Independent and regional providers offer a much better deal when it comes to much-loathed data caps and overage fees

Consumer advocates highlight industry support for ending data caps and upholding Net Neutrality in CRTC consultation
Rogers’ opposition to zero-rating and moves by U.S. firms Netflix and T-Mobile suggest Canadian telecoms should follow their lead and offer unlimited data plans

Quebec’s Bill 74 puts us all on a slippery slope toward Internet censorship
An extreme new law close to home could pave the way to a terrible future for the open Internet in Canada.

Europe’s new Net Neutrality guidelines a big win for the open Internet
The rules are as strong as digital rights advocates could have hoped for — and now we need to make sure they’re enforced.

As EU publishes strong Net Neutrality rules, Canada cannot afford to fall behind
Canada’s CRTC will soon hold hearings on how best to protect the open Internet: today’s new EU regulations set a positive example.

An interview with Ben Klass: a telecom policy love story, and beating Bell at the CRTC
I sat down with Ben Klass, a student, researcher and citizen-leader in telecom policy reform in Canada. We spoke about why he cares about the open Web, how he came to be involved with OpenMedia and his journey in the Bell Mobile TV CRTC complaint. This is the edited version of our interview below.

Why it matters: Facebook “news suppression” and Internet.org
Facebook is positioning itself as a potential global agenda-setting gatekeeper. So why do they insist they support a free Internet?

Internet users want Net Neutrality!
Over half a million people, including OpenMedia supporters, across multiple coalitions and countries, took part in a campaign to tell the EU telecom regulator to stand up for net neutrality.

Online toll booths or a free and open Internet? Europe needs to hear from you
We have until July 18 to speak up for Net Neutrality ahead of a landmark European ruling.

Québec mise sur la censure d’internet : que contient le projet de loi 74 et comment peut-on l’éliminer?
Un cas flagrant de censure d’internet pour le profit.

U.S. Net Neutrality ruling sends a clear message to the CRTC
June’s ‘open Internet’ win in the United States may be a sign of what’s to come for the CRTC’s Net Neutrality review.

Québec is gambling with Internet censorship: what is Bill 74 and how can we kill it?
Blatant censorship of the Internet for financial gain.

We can finally put an end to data caps—but will the CRTC listen?
Canadians now have a unique opportunity to end mean-spirited data caps as the CRTC announces public consultation, and your OpenMedia team is on board to ensure affordable home broadband and wireless services for all.

Huge win for the Internet, as U.S. Court of Appeals upholds hard-won Net Neutrality rules
Key ruling prohibiting Internet slow lanes sends strong signal to Canada and the European Union, which are currently reviewing their own Net Neutrality rules

Data Caps and Overage Fees: What ISPs Aren’t Telling You
Telecom companies are keeping Canadians on a short leash when it comes to data caps.

CRTC urged to end Internet data caps and punitive overage charges
Internet users are mobilizing to seek end to data caps, as new report reveals how Canadians are getting a raw deal on both wired and wireless services.

What the heck is zero-rating and how does it undermine Net Neutrality?
The rise of a controversial practice called ‘zero-rating’ has Internet freedom advocates worried about the future of the open Web and innovation. Find out why.

Last year’s historic net neutrality win could be undone with one off-the-radar bill
A new bill could undo the major win of pro-Internet communities last year who fought to keep telecom companies from creating slow lanes online

Working together for Affordable Internet across Africa
The Internet is coming together for Fast, Affordable, Safe, and Transparent Internet for Africa.

Will the open Internet survive the EU’s ambiguous Net Neutrality legislation?
Last year the EU Parliament passed Net Neutrality legislation that was largely an ambiguous mixed bag. The coming weeks will determine which way it goes.

There’s a Lot to Learn From India’s Internet Freedom Movement
What are some lessons learned from the person who led one of the most important victories for the open Internet, namely, the massive Save The Internet campaign in India?


A billion Internet users just won big
India’s new Net Neutrality protections only happened because tens of thousands of Internet users spoke out.

Why is Netflix cracking down on essential privacy tools?
Netflix cracking down privacy tools to encrypt traffic not only exposes users' online privacy but it also provides grounds for predatory market practices that violate Net Neutrality rules.

Recap: Facebook’s Plan To Give The World A Fake Internet Service
Here’s a brief rundown of Facebook’s highly controversial Free Basics program.
Opening Facebook’s controversial Free Basics platform
OpenMedia has sent a letter to Facebook requesting common sense, pro-Internet reforms be made to their controversial “Free Basics” platform.

Looking back at 2015: our biggest wins, and the challenges yet to come
2015 was the busiest year in our young organization’s history. Check out what our community achieved together!

Arstechnica: Videotron provoking net neutrality fight with unlimited music
Instead of giving Big Telecom giants the power to choose which online apps and services are more expensive, why don't they treat all services equally? Let's put Canadians in the driver's seat – not these out of touch telecom giants.
Article by Peter Nowak for Arstechnica
Quebec wireless provider Videotron looks to be stepping into a net neutrality battle with a new unlimited music service that boasts “zero data usage.” But is the offer offside Canada’s fair internet rules? Unlike previous, similar situations involving the country’s wireless carriers, this one isn’t as cut and dried.

We’re Telling Congress Not to Force us into an Internet Slow Lane
Well, here we go again: a powerful committee in the U.S. House of Representatives has introduced a bill that would kill the FCC's Open Internet rules – or, so-called “Net Neutrality” rules – that we fought hard for and won after a long battle alongside a broad coalition of civil society organizations, Internet freedom groups, and millions and millions of Internet users.

June 3 is Cell Phone Freedom Day!
Good news Canada! June 3, 2015 is Cell Phone Freedom Day. Starting next Wednesday, three year contracts which have run for 24 months or more can be cancelled without any penalties. For example, if you entered into a 3-year cell phone contract on June 3, 2013, you now have the option of ending that contract on June 3, 2015, without penalty.

Zuckerberg’s Internet.org is NOT the real Internet. It’s a trap
In response to pressure from our community, OpenMedia launched a new campaign called No Fake Internet, inviting people from around the world to stand with open Internet advocates in places like India, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Paraguay, Panama, and others, who are demanding access to the full, real, open Internet.
As many of you are already aware, their pleas come in response to growing outrage over Internet.org, a controversial new platform from Facebook and large telecom providers where selected services are prioritized over others. This is, of course, a move by Zuckerberg to make Facebook a gatekeeper of the Web that currently knows no boundaries.

Guardian: Facebook is NOT the Internet
If Zuckerberg actually cares about helping the world's poorest in this way, he should use his wealth and influence to boost the initiatives that are already on the ground.
Article by John Naughton for The Guardian
Some years ago, I had a conversation with a senior minister in which he revealed that he thought the web was the internet.

Alphabeatic: Canada still leads in high wireless prices
Wireless savings? Not for now. Canadians' wallets are still hurting.
Article by Peter Nowak for Alphabeatic
With the CRTC’s decision this week to forego implementing rules that would have allowed small companies to share the networks of bigger players, the regulator and government are both now pinning their hopes for wireless savings on newer competitors building infrastructure that’s strong enough to challenge the likes of Bell, Rogers and Telus.

How we stopped the Internet Slow Lane
A look back at our historic (and successful!) campaign to stop the Internet slow lane

The Internet you know is about to look a whole lot different. And you might not like what you see.
Imagine a world in which your favorite indie comedy troupe can no longer afford the bandwidth to stream the sketches you love onto your desktop. Or a world in which the small e-shopping website you love shuts down as a result of an outrageous jump in bandwidth costs.
Now, while you’re at it, imagine your shock when you discover your Internet bill has skyrocketed because your ISP is now charging extra to ensure your Netflix stream doesn’t come a grinding halt, or that you’re able to connect with friends on Facebook.
Unfortunately, this is what a world without net neutrality rules could look like – rules that hang in the balance for our neighbours to the south.

Ben Klass complaint against Bell prompts CRTC to review mobile Internet rules
Several months ago, we let you know that Manitoba resident and OpenMedia community member Ben Klass had filed a complaint with Canada’s telecom policymaker, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). Ben’s complaint claimed that telecom giant Bell was unfairly stifling certain types of mobile content over their wireless networks to give their own content a speed advantage over content not owned by Bell.

European Parliament Opposes Restrictive Measures in Both CETA and ITU
According to Internet freedom group European Digital Rights, provisions that would criminalize our Internet use may be dropped from the Canada-EU Trade Agreement (CETA)! While the battle isn’t over yet, this is a huge step forward for the Internet freedom community and the thousands of Canadians who shouted down the same provisions in July of this year, when they were part of the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA).
European Digital Rights has seen leaked documents showing a proposal to delete the criminal sanctions section of CETA; this has been supported by many EU Member States. As a result, it looks like the removal of restrictive, ACTA-like intellectual property provisions will be a central part of Europe’s negotiations with Canada.
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