Shaw Responds to Consumer Backlash, Removes Internet Usage Caps

Shaw is one of Canada’s Big Five Internet service providers (ISPs), and its shift toward fairer pricing indicates that citizens, who have come out en masse in support of an affordable Internet, have effectively made their voices heard.

Steve Anderson, OpenMedia.ca’s national coordinator, said today: “We couldn’t have hoped for a better way to counter the arguments of those who have argued that the CRTC’s latest Internet metering decision affects only the small portion of Canadians who use independent ISPs."

"Ultimately, we're going to need some kind of fundamental change in the telecom industry so that we don't need half a million people to demand changes before big telecom buckles,” continued Anderson. “That said, this is a great tangible victory and another indication that telecom policy in Canada will cease to be defined by lobbyists and backroom deals. Canadians now expect a communications system that serves their interests, not just those of telecom giants."

Internet supporters everywhere are eager to find out whether Shaw will conduct truly open discussions about the merits of various pricing structures and act on consumer suggestions. Eyes will also be on Bell, Rogers, and Videotron, watching to see whether they and Shaw will continue their attempts to gouge consumers.

Earlier today OpenMedia.ca launched a campaign encouraging citizens to participate in the CRTC’s call for comments about Internet metering by submitting through http://openmedia.ca/crtc.

-30-

Contact

Lindsey Pinto
Communications Manager, OpenMedia.ca
778-238-7710
[email protected]

About OpenMedia.ca

OpenMedia.ca is a national, non-partisan, non-profit public engagement organization working to advance and support an open and innovative communications system in Canada. Our primary goal is to increase public awareness and informed participation in Canadian media, cultural, information, and telecommunication policy formation.

About Stop The Meter

In October, Canadians were outraged by the news that the CRTC had decided to allow Bell and other big Internet service providers (ISPs) to impose new fees on independent ISPs – usage-based billing. Now every Internet user in Canada is likely to feel the sting of a less affordable Internet, and a less competitive Internet service market. Recognizing the importance of this issue, OpenMedia.ca launched the Stop The Meter campaign.

Since its inception, this multi-platform petition, based at http://www.StopTheMeter.ca and in French at http://openmedia.ca/compteur, become a record breaker and a game changer. Over 400,000 names have now been added to the website, Facebook, Twitter, and in print.