If you aren’t aware of the situation, let me bring you up to speed. In September of 2010 Bell Canada’s proposal the implementation of Usage Based Billing (UBB) was approved. As a result all of the smaller competing ISPs will no longer be able offer unlimited internet plans. Since all Canadian ISPs connect through Bell Canada, they are going to be the company that charges the new rates and throttles the connection. Effective January 25, the CRTC published their decision regarding the matter, and implementation of the new UBB billing will start on March 1, 2011. Long story short, Bell Canada will make a truck load of cash and everyone else is going to pay for it. If you’re curious about exact pricing structure changes, the ISP Teksavvy has posted the changes on their website FAQ regarding the new UBB policy. We’ve posted their chart below: (Click picture to enlarge)
Despite the fact that they will not be implemented until March, the response to these changes has been momentous, and there are very few that support the change. On the other hand, there are hundreds of thousands who have already signed the petition to remove UBB. The Toronto Star reports that a senior Conservative government official stated: Additionally, CBC News has quoted Tony Clement saying: Many Canadian officials see this as a backwards step for technology. With all of the support rallying behind the removal of the CRTC ruling it is only a matter of time before it is revoked. But, this decision still won’t change the way Bell CA itself deals with customer pricing, only it’s wholesale ISP access providers. When you consider that only a fraction of Canada’s population uses independent ISP’s for service, this particular legislation doesn’t make a thundering difference, but it is a start. Comment
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