It’s Official: Gamers have Caught Rogers Violating Internet Openness Rules

CRTC’s enforcement division to handle complaint against Rogers restricting access to online services

October 27, 2011— The Canadians Gamers Organization’s (CGO) current battle against Rogers hit a major milestone today. The CRTC sent a letter to the CGO today stating that their complaint against Rogers limiting access to online games—which violated Canada’s Internet openness rules—would be moved to its enforcement division for further action. Though the exact nature of the penalty Rogers will face is still unknown, the CGO and pro-Internet organization OpenMedia.ca, are glad to see the CRTC finally recognize that Rogers has been breaking rules and restricting online choice.

OpenMedia.ca, in support of the CGO, has repeatedly argued that the CRTC’s inability to properly examine and enforce its Internet openness rules is problematic. Though the gamers did eventually prevail in this case, the extent of the time and research that was necessary indicates that the CRTC’s current complaints-based enforcement framework is virtually unnavigable.

While the Gamers and OpenMedia.ca hope the Enforcement Division does its job effectively, the CRTC does not have the ability to penalize offenders financially—it is unlikely that Rogers will comply on goodwill alone.

CGO co-founder Jason Koblovsky says, “Earlier this week, Rogers told the CBC that it is within full compliance with CRTC policy and guidelines. We are now certain that’s not the case.”

“In violating these rules, Rogers has shown that it values its own narrow commercial interests over that of its customers and Canada's digital economy,” adds Steve Anderson, OpenMedia.ca’s Executive Director. “Big Telecom is out of control and they need to be reined in before they damage our innovation economy further.”

Canadians can learn more about Internet openness at http://openmedia.ca/saveournet. Readers can also learn about how the CGO is fighting for access to online services, and sign a petition calling for an open Internet at http://openmedia.ca/gamers.

About the Canadian Gamers Organization

Canadian gamers need a voice both politically and legally. The Canadian Gamers Organization (CGO) helps Canadian gamers have a voice among industry, regulators, and politicians.

The CGO believes that games are not just games, they are products under law. They are highly sophisticated pieces of software that run on high end consoles and systems. Canadian consumers should gain the maximum enjoyment when playing the products we buy.

About OpenMedia.ca

OpenMedia.ca is a national, non-partisan, non-profit public engagement organization working to advance and support an open and innovative communications system in Canada. Our primary goal is to increase public awareness and informed participation in Canadian media, cultural, information, and telecommunications policy formation.

OpenMedia.ca is best known for coordinating the Stop The Meter campaign earlier this year. The Stop The Meter campaign is widely considered the biggest online citizens’ campaign in Canadian history, involving nearly half-a-million Canadians.

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Contact

Lindsey Pinto
Communications Manager, OpenMedia.ca
778-238-7710
lindsey@openmedia.ca