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Recognizing that fibre is the future of Internet access, the CRTC stipulated last July that the small competitors must also be allowed access to these emerging fibre networks. Bell was so unhappy with this, it petitioned the federal cabinet to have the CRTC ruling overturned, and wrangled letters of support from some of its suppliers and sympathetic mayors. Other participants, including the City of Calgary and OpenMedia, an advocacy group I’ve been working with, submitted responses supporting the CRTC’s decision.

Recently, the fight found its way to Toronto, where a city council motion supporting the CRTC’s decision was passed. Now, the stage is set for the vote in Ottawa.

As a university teacher and participant in the regulatory process, I’ve seen evidence that inclusive access to the Internet is shaped by access to information about Internet access. Recently, my students prepared ISP profiles analyzing the details of their own service, along with offers from two competing ISPs. Their biggest frustration? The difficulty in wresting any information from the incumbent ISPs, even about their current speeds and rates.

This lack of information works to Bell’s advantage, not to the advantage of its customers. Bell also counts on procedure to keep its demands on government out of the limelight.

Well, except this time. The petition has received much unwanted attention, a problem exacerbated by the letters of support for Bell designed to win over the Liberals.