as I posted about way the hell over
here
back in february, the CRTC was and still is reviewing the usage based billing ruling.
During that time, I had e-mailed my views via the same form that’s in the post I linked above, and finally, I have a response, form letter or not, here it is.
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, March 25, 2011 5:55 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Usage-based billing (UBB) for Internet services
Dear Sir or Madam:
Thank you for expressing your concerns regarding usage-based billing (UBB) for Internet services. It is essential that I hear the views of Canadians on the issues that matter. Prime Minister Harper and I have been clear that we cannot support imposing a UBB business model on wholesale Internet service providers.
Our government recognizes that the Internet and digital technologies are an increasingly important part of everyday life—including driving innovation, commerce and social interaction. As the government develops Canada’s first comprehensive Digital Economy Strategy, we need to look carefully at how issues like UBB affect the big picture. We will be guided by our long-standing policies of encouraging competition and investment, increasing consumer choice, minimizing regulation and allowing market forces to prevail.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has chosen to examine these concerns that the government shares with a large number of Canadians. Details of the CRTC consultation are available at www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/com100/2011/r110208.htm.
When the CRTC reaches a final decision following its consultations, the government will carefully assess the CRTC position to ensure that it is in line with the best interests of Canadian consumers and encourages competition among internet service providers. I will be recommending that any decision counter to these foundational principles be reversed.
You can find the latest news on the government’s Digital Economy Strategy and related issues at www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ic1.nsf/eng/h_00008.html.
Once again, thank you for writing. I trust that this information is helpful.
Yours sincerely,
Tony Clement
That was kinda nifty to see in my inbox.
