CRTC's internet billing decision appealed

[Giant_Joe]

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2011/01/27/technology-internet-usage-based-billing-mezei.html

I despise the CRTC. But I have to say I’m unimpressed by the government’s repeal of the CRTC’s decision here.

The federal government is being formally asked to overturn a CRTC decision that will force (“force” meaning “allow”) smaller internet service providers to charge similar usage-based fees as Bell, Rogers and Shaw.

And I mean “allow” because of the following:

That ruling gave Bell approval to implement usage-based billing on its wholesale customers, mostly smaller internet service providers that rent portions of Bell’s network to re-sell to customers through their own retail internet packages.

In short, the per-unit cost of bandwidth in Canada won’t decrease because this decision was appealed.

[My_Buddy]

The telecom industry here is bloody ridiculous. It is basically a giant, enforced monopoly. Out west it isn’t too bad as the providers are reasonably reliable, but the telecom companies are useless in Ontario.

[Stranger]

This is about the most clear-cut example of fake competition there is. A monopoly board (the CRTC) is forcing terms on telcos to sell bandwidth below market rates, and now adjusting those terms in the face of a changing market condition, and everyone complains that it is the telcos that are the monopolists!

[Giant_Joe]

This is about the most clear-cut example of fake competition there is. A monopoly board (the CRTC) is forcing terms on telcos to sell bandwidth below market rates, and now adjusting those terms in the face of a changing market condition, and everyone complains that it is the telcos that are the monopolists!

Pretty much.

Some people get a really good deal, and the average person is paying more to subisidize the good deals these other people get.