DPP Hearing: Independents say keep them, but guard against VI abuse (updated)

By Perry Hoffman

GATINEAU – The CRTC kicked off its hearing on Internet differential pricing practices (DPP) on Monday and heard that while they have a place in the provision of data services, vertically integrated (VI) companies should be banned from using them to promote their own content.The Canadian Network Operators Consortium (CNOC) were the first of the service providers to appear Monday afternoon and it noted DPPs can help ISPs differentiate service offerings. However, if VI companies use them to promote their own affiliated services at the expense of others, this raises concerns about anti-competitive behaviour.Matt Stein, vice-chair of CNOC and CEO...