CRTC Gets Defensive Before Committee

This day will be one of significance for those of you who have signed the Stop The Meter petition, and taken a stand for the open and affordable Internet. Thanks to the 400,000+ who have raised concerns over usage-based billing, CRTC Chair Konrad von Finckenstein was brought before the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology today to discuss the CRTC's usage-based billing decisions.

This day will be one of significance for those of you who have signed the Stop The Meter petition, and taken a stand for the open and affordable Internet.

Thanks to the 400,000+ who have raised concerns over usage-based billing, CRTC Chair Konrad von Finckenstein was brought before the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology today to discuss the CRTC's usage-based billing decisions.

The appearance comes after the CRTC announced that it would review its controversial (to say the least) usage-based billing decisions. The review could lead to full removal of the previous rulings that allowed Big Telecom companies to impose usage fees on all indie competitors - basically turning small ISPs into collecting agencies for the big guys.

In a positive development, the CRTC also sent out a press release stating that the implementation of usage-based billing will be delayed by 60 days as per a request from Bell and Vaxination Informatique.

During the committee session von Finckenstein trotted out what sounded like telecom industry talking points: "If you're a greedy or excessive user," said the CRTC Chair, defensively, "you need to pay more than the average Canadian...I don't see why the ordinary guys should subsidize the heavy user."

Greedy or excessive - not a great way to frame innovators and early adopters of new communication forms. In defending Internet metering in general so explicitly, von Finckenstein has confirmed to Canadians that the CRTC does NOT stand behind their interests. The chair seems to be as insulated as ever from public opinion.

"Big companies come to see us," said von Finckenstein to the Committee, responding to an accusation that the CRTC has been co-opted by Big Telecom, "but we're the ones who decide whether to go ahead or not."

Sure.

The CRTC has agreed to review and change their decision, but it does not seem that they are interested in changing their decision significantly. Said the Chair: "I would like to reiterate the Commission’s view that usage-based billing is a legitimate principle for pricing Internet services."

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Keep pushing the CRTC to stop the meter on Internet use. If 400,000 could turn their heads, then 1,000,000 ought to bowl them over. Visit http://www.StopTheMeter.ca

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