More coverage on CRTC/Bell decision November 21, 2008
Posted by MelissaHK in the net.Tags: crtc, net-neutrality
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More articles and opinions following yesterday’s news:
SaveOurNet.ca: Tell the CRTC what you think of their decision
“The CRTC sided with Big Telecom and failed online consumers. The CRTC has announced that it will not force Bell Canada to stop its controversial Internet throttling practices. It is more important than ever for Canadians to speak up . . . Take action here.“
SaveOurNet.ca: NDP MP Charlie Angus asks: Who will protect consumers from net throttling?
“‘Whether it’s throttling the internet, imposing unfair text message fees or price gouging on cell-phone rates, it seems Canadian telcos can count on the backing of this government,’ Angus said. ‘CRTC is applying outdated rules that this government has refused to change, leaving the average consumer and emerging business models at the mercy of the Telecom Giants.’”
Mediacaster Magazine: CRTC Fails Online Consumers, Say Net Neutrality Advocates
“For a decade now, the CRTC has mandated that Bell allow third-party companies to rent its network, as a way to encourage more competition and choice in Canada’s Internet services market. By allowing Bell to throttle its competitors, critics say the CRTC is failing to support competition and fair market prices for Canadian consumers and businesses.”
Marketing Magazine: CRTC takes Bell’s side in web traffic complaint
“Internet giant Google sided with CAIP, saying the Internet must remain open and accessible and blamed Bell for failing to expand its network to accommodate all users . . . But the CRTC said Bell had demonstrated that the growing popularity of online video can lead to congestion on the network. And it said Bell was not favouring its own retail customers over the independent users.”
Michael Geist’s Blog: The Meaning of the CRTC Decision
Quotes from Mirko Bibic, Chief Regulatory Officer, Bell and Len Katz, Vice-Chair, CRTC.
CRTC to examine Internet traffic management practices November 20, 2008
Posted by MelissaHK in government, the net.Tags: crtc, net-neutrality, policy
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So, not so great news on the Net Neutrality front on the Bell application, but a grain of hope for the future? From the CRTC: “We have decided to hold a separate proceeding to consider both wholesale and retail issues. Its main purpose will be to address the extent to which Internet service providers can manage the traffic on their networks in accordance with the Telecommunications Act.” Deadline for comments is February 16, 2009 for Telecom Public Notice CRTC 2008-19: Notice of consultation and hearing – Review of the Internet traffic management practices of Internet service providers.
UPDATE:
Check out Michael Geist’s comments.
Also, read the reaction of SaveOurNet.ca.
CBC Article here, too: CRTC allows Bell to continue internet throttling
CRTC News release
November 20, 2008
CRTC denies CAIP application, but will examine Internet traffic management practices
OTTAWA-GATINEAU — The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today announced that it has denied the Canadian Association of Internet Providers’ (CAIP) request that Bell Canada cease the traffic-shaping practices it has adopted for its wholesale Gateway Access Service. [Original application and ensuing comments/letters] However, in the future, Bell Canada will be required to notify its wholesale customers at least 30 days in advance of making changes that impact on the performance of its Gateway Access Service.
“Based on the evidence before us, we found that the measures employed by Bell Canada to manage its network were not discriminatory. Bell Canada applied the same traffic-shaping practices to wholesale customers as it did to its own retail customers,” said Konrad von Finckenstein, Q.C., Chairman of the CRTC.
“CAIP’s application asked us to only consider the specific issue of wholesale traffic shaping within a specific context. The broader issue of Internet traffic management raises a number of questions that affect both end-users and service providers,” added Mr. von Finckenstein. “We have decided to hold a separate proceeding to consider both wholesale and retail issues. Its main purpose will be to address the extent to which Internet service providers can manage the traffic on their networks in accordance with the Telecommunications Act.”
The growing popularity of certain Internet applications, such as online video, can lead to network congestion. To deal with this congestion, some Internet service providers (ISPs) are managing the flow of traffic on their networks or adopting new business models. In the case of the CAIP application, the
Commission’s assessment of traffic shaping was limited to Bell Canada’s practice of slowing down the transfer rates of peer-to-peer traffic at certain times of the day.
Public proceeding
The Commission has launched a proceeding to examine the current and potential traffic management practices of ISPs operating in Canada. This proceeding will include a public hearing starting on July 6, 2009, in Gatineau, Que. The CRTC has invited comments on a number of specific questions. Some of these questions are related to:
In addition, the Commission will try to establish the criteria to be used in the event that specific traffic management practices need to be authorized.
Interested parties may submit their comments by February 16, 2009. They may do so by filling out the online form, by writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N2, or by fax, at 819-994-0218. The Commission also plans to hold an online consultation to allow the public the opportunity to discuss the issues and questions related to the Internet traffic management practices of ISPs.
The CRTC
The CRTC is an independent public authority that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.
Telecom Public Notice CRTC 2008-19 [.pdf]
Telecom Decision CRTC 2008-108 [.pdf]
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And YOU could have found out that the CBC is spending your money on theatre tickets and catering November 20, 2008
Posted by MelissaHK in media.Tags: cbc, policy
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Canada has a wonderful piece of legislation called the Access to Information Act. Thanks to this Act, by filling out the Access to Information Request Form and paying $5, you can have access to internal government information (that is not marked confidential). This includes memos and letters, as well as emails. (Find out more information through this link: Access to Information – Policies and Publications.)
And why is this in place? From the “Policy on Access to Information“:
3.1 The Government of Canada recognizes the right of access by the public to information in records under the control of government institutions as an essential element of our system of democracy. The government is committed to openness and transparency by respecting both the spirit and requirements of the Access to Information Act, its Regulations and its related policy instruments.
So you’ll understand why the last line in this article is my absolute favourite so far today: “The story of CBC executive spending only came to light because the Harper government added the broadcaster to the roster of agencies subject to Access to Information rules.” Right on!
Here’s Broadcaster Magazine’s article regarding the overspending.
Heritage Minister Warns CBC to Curb Expenses
Broadcaster Magazine
The minister for Canadian Heritage is warning CBC executives to rein in their expenses following reports of heavy spending on theatre tickets, meals and travel.
James Moore has written to the public broadcaster in response to a news story detailing lavish spending by Sylvain Lafrance, the executive vice-president for French services at the taxpayer-funded CBC.
“I am sure that you are sensitive to the fact that, at a time of fiscal restraint when Canadians are struggling to maintain their jobs and savings, this sort of reported excess does not sit well with them,” Moore wrote in a letter released Wednesday to the media.
Reports this week detailed how Lafrance signed off on almost $80,000 in 2006, including $28,000 on hotels, travel and meals, $15,000 in office catering and $33,000 in corporate expenses for benefit dinners and theatre tickets.
“As this unpopular measure was justified by the CBC as a fiscal restraint measure, the same could be expected by taxpayers with regards to CBC operating expenses,” Moore wrote in the letter to Timothy Casgrain, chairman of the CBC’s board of directors.
A CBC spokesman has said all the expenses were “fully compliant” with the broadcaster’s corporate policy.
The story of CBC executive spending only came to light because the Harper government added the broadcaster to the roster of agencies subject to Access to Information rules.
SaveOurNet.ca calling for action on Net Neutrality November 19, 2008
Posted by MelissaHK in the net.Tags: crtc, net-neutrality
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According to SaveOurNet.ca, the CRTC is about to release decisions that affect our access to the Internet. They are calling for action — for us all to write letters and sign a petition. Once you follow the links, there’s sample letters/emails, including an online form for submitting a message to CRTC Chairman Konrad von Finkenstein.
Not sure what Net Neutrality is and why it’s important? Feel free to check out my earlier post,”Net Neutrality 101 – It’s All About Access“.
November 28 – Buy Nothing Day November 19, 2008
Posted by MelissaHK in culture, environment, life.Tags: buy-nothing-day, culture, environment, media-democracy
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November 28
If you are not familiar with Adbusters and care about the “erosion of our physical and cultural environments by commercial forces”, find out more now.
But Nothing Day was born in 1992 and adopted by environmentalists, but has since grown into an international campaign. And this year, Buy Noting Day is looking at the current economic crisis.
From the Adbusters website:
Suddenly, we ran out of money and, to avoid collapse, we quickly pumped liquidity back into the system. But behind our financial crisis a much more ominous crisis looms: we are running out of nature… fish, forests, fresh water, minerals, soil. What are we going to do when supplies of these vital resources run low?
There’s only one way to avoid the collapse of this human experiment of ours on Planet Earth: we have to consume less.
It will take a massive mindshift. You can start the ball rolling by buying nothing on November 28th. Then celebrate Christmas differently this year, and make a New Year’s resolution to change your lifestyle in 2009.
It’s now or never!
