Media Advisory: Internet metering (usage-based billing) decision to come Tuesday; OpenMedia.ca available for comment

WHEN:
We are able to comment at any time.
The CRTC decision will be made public Tuesday, November 15, at 4:00 PM EST (1 PM PST)

BACKGROUND:

OpenMedia.ca is a non-profit organization that safeguards the open and affordable Internet. The group works towards informed & participatory digital policy.

Stop The Meter: In late January 2011, the CRTC confirmed its decision to let big telecom companies put a pay-meter on Internet use in Canada. If the CRTC lets them, Bell Canada and other phone and cable companies could freely impose usage-based billing (UBB) on independent Internet service providers (indie ISPs) and, thus, on all Canadians. These large corporations are obviously trying to gouge consumers, control the Internet market, and ensure that consumers continue to subscribe to their television services.

Indy ISPs, such as Acanac and TekSavvy, pay incumbent telecoms like Bell for access to their networks. By applying usage-based billing (UBB) to these indie ISPs, the CRTC would allow big telecom companies to determine and limit how many gigabytes of usage their independent competitors can provide to their customers.

This means we may be looking at a future where ISPs will charge per byte, the way they do with smart phones. If this happens, Canadians will have no choice but to pay more for less Internet. This would crush innovative services, Canada's digital competitiveness, and Canadians’ wallets.

Due to the success of the petition at http://StopTheMeter.ca, however, the CRTC is currently reviewing this decision.

CONTACT

Lindsey Pinto – 778.238.7710 – [email protected]
Steve Anderson – 604.837.5730 – [email protected]

Details can also be found at http://openmedia.ca and at http://StopTheMeter.ca