Internet usage-based billing hearings

The CRTC is holding hearings this week on internet usage-based billing, after the federal government forced the agency to go back to the drawing board on the issue.

The commission passed a decision in January that would allow the big telecommunication companies to force the smaller providers to charge customers for going over monthly data caps. The decision would have effectively ended unlimited internet plans, which caused an outcry from consumers.

Nearly half a million Canadians signed a petition by Open Media and the group is relaying their concerns in the hearings this week. Spokesperson Lindsey Pinto says Canadians are already paying too much for internet service. She says, "We're already being gouged compared to the rest of the world when it comes to internet pricing and, frankly, we didn't feel that this was a fair way of treating accessibility to a medium that is so important."

Pinto says Open Media will be talking about a number of issues including fair pricing and the cost of delivering internet service versus what consumers are paying.

The smaller internet service providers use the larger company's networks and many of the big telecom companies say they're concerned about heavy down-loaders overwhelming those networks.


The commission passed a decision in January that would allow the big telecom companies to force the smaller providers to charge customers for going over monthly data caps. The decision would have effectively ended unlimited internet plans, which caused an outcry from consumers.

Nearly half a million Canadians signed a petition by Open Media and the group is relaying their concerns in the hearings this week. Spokesperson Lindsey Pinto says Canadians are already paying too much for internet service. She says, "We're already being gouged compared to the rest of the world when it comes to internet pricing and, frankly, we didn't feel that this was a fair way of treating accessibility to a medium that is so important."

Pinto says Open Media will be talking about a number of issues including fair pricing and the cost of delivering internet service versus what consumers are paying.

The smaller internet service providers use the larger company's networks and many of the big telecom companies say they're concerned about heavy down-loaders overwhelming those networks.