Media Advisory: CRTC report shows Internet openness complaints went up in 2012; OpenMedia.ca available for comment

WHAT:

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has just released their annual status report on Complaints Related to Internet Traffic Management Practices. The report indicates that the number of complaints has risen: 75 complaints were received in 2012.

By contrast, in the reporting quarter ending Dec. 30, 2011, the CRTC received a total of 41 ITMP-related complaints, and total of 67 were received in the two-year period between Oct. 1, 2009 and Sept. 30, 2011.

OpenMedia.ca, a grassroots group that promotes an open and affordable Internet, has long decried the CRTC’s lack of enforcement of Canada’s Internet openness rules—the consumer complaints process is the sole mechanism in place.

In February 2012, Rogers responded to the CRTC’s Compliance and Enforcement division, saying that they would cease throttling on their networks by year-end. As this followed Bell’s 2011 announcement that they would cease throttling, it will be especially interesting to see what the CRTC’s report on complaints in 2013 will say.

WHEN:

We are able to comment at any time.

BACKGROUND:

OpenMedia.ca is a grassroots organization that safeguards the possibilities of the open and affordable Internet. The group work towards informed and participatory digital policy.

OpenMedia.ca is best known for its StopTheMeter.ca campaign that engaged over half-a-million Canadians, and its StopSpying.ca campaign that prevented warrantless online spying bill C-30 from being passed in Parliament.

CONTACT:

Lindsey Pinto – 778.238.7710 – lindsey@openmedia.ca

More about Internet openness at http://openmedia.ca/saveournet