Archive for Internet

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Bell Reinvents Usage Based Billing…. It Shouldn’t Fool You

Posted in Commentary with tags , , on March 28, 2011 by itnerd

Bell is clearly feeling the heat as they announced to the world via The Globe And Mail (which is owned by Bell Globemedia) that they’re altering their usage based billing plans:

In its original proposal, Bell asked the federal communications regulator to let it charge small Internet service providers, which lease space on its network, by the amount of data each of their customers downloads.

Instead, Bell is suggesting an aggregated volume pricing scheme, whereby smaller ISPs are charged for the data used by all their customers, instead of being charged for each customer who goes over set limits.

For consumers on the unlimited plans of wholesale Internet providers, Bell’s capitulation means that the huge price increases and onerous download caps many feared will not be implemented, at least for now. The issue will again be debated at regulatory hearings in July.

This according to Bell means that they’re taking usage based billing off the table. Hmmm…. I’m not impressed. Neither is Industry Minister Tony Clement:

In a message to The Globe and Mail on Monday after Bell said it would revamp its proposal, Mr. Clement wrote: “I’m not impressed.”

Here’s why you shouldn’t be impressed. It’s the same usage based billing scheme made to look different. Thus Bell is just trying to use smoke and mirrors to extract as much cash as they can. Don’t be fooled. Instead, tell Bell and the CRTC that this is unacceptable.

Leave a comment »

CRTC Announces Usaged Based Billing Hearings…. Perpare For Their Lies

Posted in Commentary with tags , on March 13, 2011 by itnerd

Make your plans for July. That’s when the CRTC plans to hold hearings on the whole usage based billing fiasco:

Canadians will have an opportunity to share their views at a public hearing starting on July 11th in Gatineau, Que. The CRTC will also hold an online consultation. Details of both the hearing and consultation will be announced shortly

Shockingly… Well not really… The CRTC has a gotcha or two in mind:

The CRTC will not be expanding the scope, as requested by several parties, to include the billing practices for retail Internet services. There is no evidence that market forces are not working properly in this unregulated market.

Finally, the CRTC will not review, as was also requested by several parties, the overall regulatory framework for wholesale high-speed Internet access services. The overall framework was not part of the decision that is being reviewed, and it would not be appropriate to initiate such a wide-ranging review within the current proceeding.

Basically, this is one of the CRTC’s attempts to solicit public input and then do whatever they feel like. That’s why it’s vital for Canadians to see through this and keep the pressure up on the Conservative government who have already committed to killing any attempt by the CRTC to go ahead with usage based billing.

Leave a comment »

Bell Claims That Usage Based Billing Is Good For Canadians….. WTF?

Posted in Commentary with tags , on March 8, 2011 by itnerd

Clearly Bell is running scared because I was pointed to this page on their website that has all the credibility of the Iraqi Information Minister. Just check out how they argue that usage based billing is good for Canadians:

  • Bell offers retail usage packages from 25 gigabytes (GB) to 75 GB a month. Customers can buy even more at affordable prices – $5 for 40 GB more, $10 for 80 GB, $15 for 120 GB. 
  • That’s a very generous amount of usage – keep in mind that even 60 GB will get you 300 hours of standard definition video streaming or 50 hours of non-stop HD video streaming!
  • Yet average usage on our network is just 16 GB per month and half of our customer base uses just 5 GB a month.

Oh really? This sort of dis-information ignores services like Netflix. But why acknowledge that Canadians want to use services on the Internet that consume bandwidth without the fear that they’re going to get raped ripped off by their telco?

Oh yeah, they also mention this:

Those with an interest in maintaining unlimited Internet access for themselves – that minority of wholesale customers who often download hundreds of gigabytes per month – are eager to confuse regular users of the Internet into believing they will be negatively impacted by usage-based billing for wholesale. But the reality is quite the opposite: If super-heavy downloaders are allowed to keep using up extraordinary amounts of network capacity, we’ll all have to pay more. And that’s just not fair.

They have to be kidding. The reality is that Bell isn’t interested in looking out for the interests of Canadians. The fact is that they want to gouge Internet users in Canada, plain and simple. After all, the costs for bandwidth is dirt cheap to a major telco like Bell. Not that they want you to know how little they pay for bandwidth. But why would they use accurate facts in an argument where they clearly would end up on the losing end of said argument.

To ensure that they lose this argument, Canadians should click here and sign this petition put forward by Liberal MP and ex space shuttle astronaut Marc Garneau or this one put forward by Open Media. Canadians should make it clear that they won’t put up with this sort of nonsense from their telcos.

Leave a comment »

Hey IT Nerd? Can I Get A Better Deal When It Comes To Internet Access In Canada?

Posted in Commentary with tags , on February 26, 2011 by itnerd

Since the crapstorm over usage based billing happened here in Canada, I’ve gotten quite a few e-mails from Canadian Internet users asking me if they can get a better deal for Internet access. The answer is that it depends on whom you’re with. If you’re with Rogers, Bell, or Telus, you can get a better deal elsewhere. I’ll use Bell for my example. Lets say that you want a DSL based Internet package that gives you speeds of up to 6 Mbps. No problem. Bell can hook you up for $31.95 a month. But there’s a couple of gotchas. First, this price is only available as part of a bundle. Second, you’re capped at 25GB a month.

Now compare that to DSL based reseller Teksavvy. With them you’ve got two choices. You can pay the same $31.95 a month and you’ll get 5Mbps rather that 6 Mbps, but that’s where the bad news ends. You’re capped at 300GB a month, not 25GB. Sounds much more reasonable to me. But if 300GB isn’t enough for you, there’s always unlimited for $8 more.

A couple of things I should point out :

  • You can’t go any faster than 5 Mbps with DSL resellers. I guess that has something to do with the fact that the incumbent telcos won’t play nice with resellers, but who really cares if you get more Internet access for the same money?
  • There are other DSL resellers that have their own deals. Acanac for example has their own deals you might want to look at.
  • Generally, DSL resellers don’t require you to bundle services to get the best deal.

The bottom line is that there are better deals when it comes to Internet access to be had for Canadians. If you’re with the big three telcos, whip out your bills and compare them to what you could get elsewhere. I’m certain that you will find a better deal.

 

2 Comments »

Bell Claims “Glitch” Caused It To Overcharge Internet Users…. Oh, And Shaw Wants To Talk To You

Posted in Commentary with tags , , , on February 9, 2011 by itnerd

I guess all the scrutiny from users who are ticked off about usage based billing must have caught Bell’s attention. That’s because they admitted today that they’ve been overcharging their Internet users because of a software “glitch”:

A Bell spokesperson confirmed the company’s software, which was provided by an outside vendor, has been pulled offline because of glitches. As they test the fix, the service remains offline but could be operational by as early as this week, the spokesperson said. Although Bell is not the only company that leases its networks to smaller Internet service providers (ISPs), as it is mandated to do by the regulator, it has found itself central to the debate since so many companies offer service over its vast network.

Now this isn’t new. Savvy Bell Internet users have been saying for a very long time that their software was faulty. But Bell always dismissed those claims. It’s nice to know that Internet users in Canada were right. Oh, but there’s more. Shaw wants to “consult” with users about usage based billing:

At the same time, Shaw Communications, a cable provider based in Calgary, announced on Tuesday that it would hold public consultations on usage-based billing for its own providers, even though the regulatory shift wouldn’t affect how they sell Internet access. Shaw’s customers have monthly download limits, but are not charged so-called “overage” charges for exceeding their set amounts — relying instead on a tactic used in the United States, where heavy users who go over are contacted about their contract terms. In the U.S., after being notified, customers who exceed the limit again in less than six months can be booted off.

My take?

A whole lot of consumers have been looking at their Bell, Telus, and Rogers Internet bills and comparing them to what they could get from other providers like Teksavvy and Acanac. In the process of doing so, they’re concluding that they can get better deals elsewhere. So the big three have to do whatever they need to to keep customers from defecting. If you want my advice, if you’re an Internet user on Bell, Telus, or Rogers, I would shop around for a better deal. Trust me, there are better deals out there and they’re not with the big three. Now if you’re Bell, Rogers, and Telus, my advice to you guys would be to offer your services at a fair and competitive price. Right now, it really looks like you’re ripping consumers off. That of course may have something to do with the fact that you are given the fact that Internet service from companies like Teksavvy and Acanac are way less than with any of the big three.

So big three, are you going to do the right thing?

2 Comments »

The CRTC Wants To Hear From Canadians About Usage Based Billing…. Be Nice Please

Posted in Commentary with tags , on February 8, 2011 by itnerd

The CRTC announced today that after that they want to hear from Canadians in regards to usage based billing:

The announcement on Tuesday opened a consultation process whereby citizens and interested parties can submit comments up until April 29. Mr. [Konrad] von Finckenstein reiterated in the release today that he does not feel that average Internet users – who download only light amounts – should “fund the bandwidth used by the heaviest residential Internet consumers.”

The thing is, it may not matter:

“I’d like to be clear … regardless of the outcome of the CRTC review, under a Conservative government, this ruling will not be implemented,” Mr. [Tony] Clement told reporters Thursday after Mr. von Finckenstein’s appearance.

So, my advice would be to send a message to the CRTC. Details are available here. Please try not to call Konrad von Finckenstein names, even though he likely deserves it given the contempt that he’s shown Canadian Internet users.

1 Comment »

BREAKING NEWS: Canadian Industry Minister Tweets That Usage Based Billing Decision Must Be Reversed [UPDATED]

Posted in Commentary with tags , on February 3, 2011 by itnerd

I woke up this morning to a very interesting Tweet from Canadian Industry Minister Tony Clement:

True. CRTC must go back to drawing board RT @RosieBarton is it true you will overturn internet decision if crtc does not back down?

The story has been picked up by a number of news outlets this morning which is likely making Internet users in Canada very happy and making Bell, Rogers, and Telus crap their pants. To top it off, Konrad von Finckenstein who is the chairman of the CRTC is scheduled to appear before the industry committee Thursday. I suspect that he has some explaining to do.

This is all looking very positive for Internet users in Canada. We’ll have to see how this story evolves during the day.

UPDATE: The CRTC is going to review their decision to allow usage based billing. Konrad von Finckenstein had this to say when he was called on the carpet today:

“In light of these requests and the evident concerns expressed by Canadians, the Commission has decided to delay the implementation of usage-based billing for wholesale customers by at least 60 days,”

Good. But Canadian Internet users need to keep the pressure up. You might want to fire off a few more e-mails to the CRTC and the Canadian government to let them know how you feel. Oh yeah, I should also say that von Finckenstein also got taken to task today when he appeared in front of the Industry committee. He deserves it.

Leave a comment »

Canadian PM Tweets That CRTC Usage Based Billing Decision Will Be Reviewed

Posted in Commentary with tags , on February 1, 2011 by itnerd

This might be a shrewd use of social media to get votes, but Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper left this Tweet today on his Twitter feed:

We’re very concerned about CRTC’s decision on usage-based billing and its impact on consumers. I’ve asked for a review of the decision.

This is very good news for Canadian Internet users. You can expect that Bell, Rogers, and Telus don’t like this news as the last time that the Canadian government reviewed a decision that the CRTC made, the government gave Wind Mobile the green light to operate in Canada. Hopefully the decision comes before March 1st which is when usage based billing goes into effect. In the meantime, I would suggest that Canadians Tweet the Prime Minister as well as use on-line petitions such as this one to let Canadian politicians know how craptastic this decision is.

When the Canadian government is done with this issue, perhaps they can move on to abolishing the CRTC?

1 Comment »

Industry Minister Looking At Usage Based Billing [UPDATED]

Posted in Commentary with tags , on January 31, 2011 by itnerd

I’m not sure if this is reason to be hopeful, but Canadian Industry Minister Tony Clement is apparently looking at the recent craptastic decision made by the CRTC to implement usage based billing:

“I can assure that, as with any ruling, this decision will be studied carefully to ensure that competition, innovation and consumers were all fairly considered,” Mr. Clement said in a statement obtained by The Globe and Mail.

I for one hope that he makes a similar decision like the one he made in regards to Wind Mobile where he let them into the Canadian marketplace even though the CRTC said no. Remember, Internet users in Canada are watching you Mr. Clement. Given that this could be an election year in Canada, I’m sure they’ll have very long memories when they go to the ballot box.

UPDATE: Here’s the full statement from Tony Clement’s website.

Leave a comment »

The CRTC Proves Once Again That They’re Out Of Touch With Canadian Internet Users

Posted in Commentary with tags , , on January 25, 2011 by itnerd

The Canadian government body that I (along with most Canadians) love to hate is at it again. The CRTC reaffirmed their earlier usage based billing decision today which spells the end of an Internet that is affordable and usable by Canadians:

Larger telecom providers, such as Telus Corp. and BCE’s Bell are mandated to lease network space to smaller providers across the country. Many smaller providers often offer popular unlimited packages that allow users to download as much content as they want, whereas the larger providers often have download “caps,” with strict extra charges for going over the limits.

The decision, small providers say, effectively destroys their ability to offer such unlimited packages in the future. Large providers, however, argue it’s necessary in an era when some consumers download lots of TV shows and movies that they say clogs their networks. The regulator, as it usually does, has attempted to find middle ground. While the CRTC is allowing large providers to charge usage-based billing to smaller, “wholesale” Internet firms, it has mandated larger providers give them bandwidth for 15 per cent less than their own retail customers.

This is proof positive that the CRTC needs to die. Why? This decision pretty much kills services like Netflix, Youtube, or any other media rich service. So Canadians will have to put up with whatever Rogers, Bell, Telus choose to give Canadians. The other thing that needs to happen is that the Canadian telco market has to be opened to foreign competition. I guarantee that those three telcos would make themselves way more competitive if someone like a Deutsche Telekom came in here, set up their own network and offered unlimited telco services for way less than the “big three.” Fortunately, Canadians have a government that seems to be partial to that. Hopefully they do the right thing and make the Canadian telco market much better for Canadians. Until then, Canadians better bend over and lube up as they’re going to get screwed by Bell, Rogers, and Telus, and the CRTC is going to stand by and do nothing.

1 Comment »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »