CRTC says capacity billing model will kick in February 1st

Image from Tillman on Wikimedia

The CRTC has announced a start date for the capacity-based model that defeated usage-based billing (Internet metering) late last year. Starting on February 1st, the decision will go into effect, with certain terms and conditions that indie ISPs find objectionable subject to possible renegotiation going forward.

This, in short, means that Big Telecom won't be able to impose metered billing directly onto Canadians using their independent competitors.

There has been a great deal of controversy on the logistics of the new model's implementation—for instance, indie ISPs argue the costs they face in the wake of the CRTC's decision are still higher than they should be—but all in all this has been a step forward for the affordable Internet.

The CRTC is going to address these issues—which were submitted formally by the indie ISPs that form the Canadian Network Operators Consortium (CNOC)—as soon as possible, they say. Bell had tried to delay the February 1st start date by pointing to these concerns, but CNOC suggested and the CRTC agreed that these issues do not supersede the need to begin using the capacity-based model in a timely manner.

For more, here's the CRTC's press release:

OTTAWA-GATINEAU, January 27, 2012 — Today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) confirmed that the new wholesale rates for independent Internet service providers (ISPs) will be implemented on February 1, 2012.

The large telephone and cable companies will proceed as scheduled with their proposed implementation plans, with the exception of the Bell companies. Their implementation plan has been modified on an interim basis while the CRTC resolves issues raised by the Canadian Network Operators Consortium.

“We are moving ahead with the implementation as planned to ensure that independent ISPs will continue to offer competitive and innovative services to Canadians,” said Leonard Katz, the CRTC’s Acting Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Telecommunications. “Some temporary adjustments have been made to ensure a smooth transition to the new billing regime and to ensure consumers are not inconvenienced.” Read the rest »

--
Read the full release at crtc.gc.ca