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CRTC limits Bell, Rogers internet traffic shaping

The CBC reports that, “Big telecommunications companies such as Bell and Rogers can only interfere with internet traffic as a last resort, the CRTC says.”

“The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission on Wednesday issued a new framework by which it will judge whether internet service providers are discriminating against certain kinds of traffic and content.”

“Internet providers will still be able to use network-management practices such as traffic shaping and slowing of certain applications, and limiting bandwidth usage of heavy downloaders. (But) when implementing such a technical measure, ISPs will have to prove that …it is as narrowly tailored as possible to achieve its intended purpose (along with other criteria).”

THE BATTLE FOR NET NEUTRALITY IN CANADA
“The battle over net neutrality in Canada found it roots in late 2007, when Bell began slowing down the internet connections of customers using peer-to-peer software such as BitTorrent. Bell kicked off the fight when it extended the practice to its wholesale customers in early 2008.”

In a media release, the SaveOurNet.ca coalition, a broad alliance of groups fighting for a free and open Internet, says, “the CRTC decision on traffic management (net neutrality) is a step in the right direction, but it doesn’t go far enough to protect online innovation and consumer choice.”

THE COUNCIL OF CANADIANS
In the SaveOurNet.ca media release, Council of Canadians media officer Dylan Penner says, “The Internet should be a commons that prioritizes equitable access to information over commercialization. Given the growing number of media outlets in crisis, net neutrality is an increasingly essential principle for ensuring public participation in what can and must be a much more democratic media system.”

The CBC report also notes, “Consumer groups, business organizations and technology companies (have) voiced their support for stronger rules…”

– The Council of Canadians was a founding member of the Campaign for Democratic Media and supported the network’s call for enforceable legislation on net neutrality – a principle that requires Internet service providers not to discriminate by speeding up or slowing down Web content based on its source, ownership or destination.

“Hundreds of internet users rallied on Parliament Hill to support the small ISPs.”

– To see then-media officer Meera Karunananthan speak at the net neutrality rally on Parliament Hill on May 30, 2008, please go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_Bf576kO1g&fulldescription=1&hl=en&gl=CA&client=mv-google.

“The (CRTC) review drew unprecedented interest from the public, with more than 12,000 individuals submitting comments.”

– To read Meera’s ‘ACTION ALERT: Demand net neutrality now’, go to http://canadians.org/action/2008/27-Mar-08.html.

WEB-LINKS
The CBC report is at http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/10/20/crtc-net-neutrality-ruling.html.

The Globe and Mail report is at http://theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/crtc-sets-web-throttling-rules/article1332188/?.

The SaveOurNet.ca media release can be read at http://newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2009/22/c9633.html.