NDP slams CRTC's approval of usage-based billing for Internet service

by Stephen Hui on Jan 20, 2011 at 4:17 pm

The NDP’s digital-issues critic says a decision by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to allow usage-based billing threatens access to the Internet.

According to Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus, usage-based billing is unfair to consumers and could be used by large Internet service providers to limit competition from third-party ISPs and online media sources, such as Netflix.

“We’ve seen this all before with cell phones,” Angus said in a press release today (January 20). “Allowing the Internet Service Providers to ding you every time you download is a rip-off. Canada is already falling behind other countries in terms of choice, accessibility and pricing for the Internet.”

Angus called for “clear rules that put consumers first”.

The NDP’s release was applauded by OpenMedia.ca, a nonprofit organization that’s been campaigning against usage-based billing, also known as Internet metering.

OpenMedia.ca has collected more than 34,000 signatures on an online petition against usage-based billing for Internet service.

In December, Vancouver city council voted to take a stand against usage-based Internet billing and call on the CRTC to reverse its May decision opening the door to the practice.

You can follow Stephen Hui on Twitter at twitter.com/stephenhui.

Comments (55) Add New Comment
Max
Jan 20, 2011 at 5:46 pm
We know that we are being ripped off by telecommunications companies. Why do Canadians take these unfair policies sitting down?! Voice your displeasure with the agency that is supposed to be looking out for the Canadian public, but instead is in bed with these large corporations!
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john costa
Jan 20, 2011 at 6:20 pm
bell canada you are the scum of canada. ripping off canadians at every corner, and they are not ashamed of digging deeper into canadian people's pockets!! shame on you, bell, shame on you crtc.
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JeffreyT
Jan 20, 2011 at 6:28 pm
Customers should be outraged at the move by Internet providers like Shaw Cable to milk the customer for more money!

http://jeffreyt.posterous.com/open-letter-to-shaw-cable-users

My opinion on this whole issue!

My opinion on the matter!
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Herry69
Jan 20, 2011 at 6:47 pm
is this what it's going to be ? bell, rogers, telus and the CRTC all sucking each other off to see who can rip off canadians the most. HARPER, GET OFF YOUR USELESS PATHETIC A-- AND DO SOMETHING. YOU USELESS PATHETIC PIECE OF S--- !!!!!!!!!!!
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Rustymike
Jan 20, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Living out in Rural Alberta, where Telus FAILS to provide internet service faster than 12baud had forced us to go to satellite internet service which we use for both fax service and internet access.
This is just another CASH COW grab by the big guys.
If this comes into effect, I'm switching to a US sat system ....they'll welcome the business.
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George Faithe
Jan 20, 2011 at 7:20 pm
http://openmedia.ca/meter

Sign the petition!

ISPs like Shaw are using UBB as a method to restrict access to their own competitors by making them cost prohibitive to use.

Just as Netflix arrived in Canada, Shaw began charging massive overage fees, and at the same time, quietly cut our usage caps by 30% without telling customers!

Netflix charges $8 per month for unlimited movies. If you are already at your cap with Shaw, each HD movie you watch will cost an additional $8 paid to Shaw for data usage.

ISPs have pushed Canadians too far with UBB. As soon as people realize that Windows updates, emails, web surfing, Netflix, gaming... will ALL be metered, and billed... there will be a lot of angry consumers.
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Randy.Goebel@gmail.com
Jan 20, 2011 at 7:36 pm
The May CRTC decision is myopic at best. It is difficult to understand how such decision could be taken when so many other jurisdictions have evolved beyond the lagging business models of the Canadian IP carriers? That the CRTC has no vision or roadmap for how to adjust policy to support a vision is symptomatic of the CTRC's history, which is even less informed than in the past.
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Frank D.
Jan 20, 2011 at 7:45 pm
Get Out Of My Wallet!!
I'm not giving them permission to take from me. I will cancell it first. Harper get off your ass and fix this bullying or we will fire you and hire someone who can stop the intrusion.
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Kev69
Jan 20, 2011 at 7:47 pm
Yeah - this sucks the next thing you know gasoline and grocery bills are going to be usage-based!
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rick flores
Jan 20, 2011 at 7:54 pm
its about time....WTF they are only going to give public 25 GB limit? they are the portal...but the internet is free.....dang...can they measure how many GB just to watch their HD movies???? and you can watch HD TV everyday.....friggin @^@^ moron.....if they through with this...the first thing to go out of my bills is BELL. 25 GB...throw me a bone man!!!!!
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matt g
Jan 20, 2011 at 7:58 pm
This should be a wake up call to all Canadians. We have been far too passive while we allow our government to make ill-advised decisions for us. Write your your MP today and tell them that you do not agree with the CRTC's decisions and request a independent 3rd party review of their operating practices an policies.
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Greg Robin
Jan 20, 2011 at 8:02 pm
Canadians are politically UN-Conscious. Wakey wake my brothers and sisters. Time to realize all that you have will be taken from you if you do not fight back. The corporate state has never been stronger. You are rats, currently cornered in your little cages and most of you are in super denial.
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dave Hurrie
Jan 20, 2011 at 8:09 pm
If this ever goes ahead I backwards and throw out my computers for sure
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Mark L
Jan 20, 2011 at 8:40 pm
The only way to stop things like this from happening is to turf George W. Harper and his party out of government in Ottawa. Seems simple doesn't it? Writing to MPs, screaming and hollering, signing petitions, holding our breath til we turn blue just isn't going to work.
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Chris Ryan
Jan 20, 2011 at 8:52 pm
It feels really weird to me to be siding with the NDP, but on this one, I am in complete agreement.

This is one ruling that MUST be reversed.
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Carley
Jan 20, 2011 at 9:15 pm
I have 3G stick internet with TelUs co. since November my billing increased so much it's like a small car payment now. Their excuse is that company like facebook and youtube are now using our computer as servers and I am being charged for upload and downloads. But an increase of $217 more then my usual billing and the month after was $113 and it goes on... I am locked in a contract with 11 months to go and can't do this anymore.This is abuse specially when we are basically going on the same sites and using it less because we have a ski pass and go skiing 4 nights per week.... what can I do and I don't think it is fair to us regular consumers. Worst thing I said to them is prove it that I have used all that data usage... their response was prove it to us you didn't! What a f..........joke this is
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Matt L
Jan 20, 2011 at 9:39 pm
Good grief its true Canadians are so apathetic on political issues and so willing to be taken for a ride by large corporations.
I am travelling in India and can get internet via the cell network on my laptop for about $1.00 per Gig, in Canada Rogers wants $35.00 for the same 1 Gig ! never will I pay those rates again.

http://www.farfar-away.com
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Steph OP
Jan 20, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Max I agree with you, in Calgary I was sick of paying nearly $60+ for some what high speed internet. I did a google search and found a company "west net wireless" they started 14 years ago after the owner was sick of hearing how Canadians pay too much for internet.


Max
Thu, 2011-01-20 17:46Rating: +66
68 votes We know that we are being ripped off by telecommunications companies. Why do Canadians take these unfair policies sitting down?! Voice your displeasure with the agency that is supposed to be looking out for the Canadian public, but instead is in bed with these large corporations!
Agree Disagree.
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I am a Canadian
Jan 20, 2011 at 10:03 pm
FUCK MY GOVERNMENT
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tiger2010
Jan 20, 2011 at 10:14 pm
Why do we even have a CRTC? Besides being an overt meddler with no common sense they're all appointed, we didn't elect them. But they sure know how to stay in our pockets....good for Rogers and Bell!
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