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CRTC decision threatens open Internet access - Martin

NEWS RELEASE TONY MARTIN, MP ****************************** Canadians lose out with Internet metered billing "We are calling for tighter net neutrality rules” - Martin SAULT STE.
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NEWS RELEASE

TONY MARTIN, MP

****************************** Canadians lose out with Internet metered billing

"We are calling for tighter net neutrality rules” - Martin

SAULT STE. MARIE - Free and open access to the Internet in Canada is under threat, with the CRTC’s decision to allow usage-based Internet billing sure to hit consumers in the pocket book, Sault MP Tony Martin said today.

“We need clear rules that put consumers first. That is not the direction we appear headed in with this latest decision likely hurting smaller internet service providers,” Martin said.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission decision upheld usage-based billing for small, independent providers that offer Internet service by leasing networks owned by large telecommunication companies.

But it ruled the larger telecoms must give a 15-percent discount off retail rates to those wholesale customers.

The decision could spell an end to flat-rate pricing for unlimited Internet data that smaller ISPs were able to offer as an incentive to attract customers.

New Democrat Digital Affairs critic Charlie Angus (Timmins - James Bay) disagrees with the rationale behind usage-based billing, believing it could lead to huge increases for customers.

"What we need to have is clear and transparent rules so it's being used in a measured capacity, and it's not just instituting the principle that every time you turn on the Internet, they can ding you for fees like they do with cell-phones," Angus said. “Allowing the Internet service providers to ding you every time you download is a rip-off. Canada is already falling behind other countries in terms of choice, accessibility and pricing for the Internet.”

Angus said usage-based Internet billing will unfairly hit Canadian consumers and not just affect so-called 'bandwidth hogs.”

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