OTTAWA-GATINEAU – The CRTC said Friday that it has launched an on-line consultation asking for feedback from Canadians on the way large cable and telephone companies charge independent Internet service providers (ISPs) for the use of their networks.
Canadians can access the Internet through wireless service providers, satellite companies, independent ISPs or large cable and telephone companies, and in light of this competition, the Commission does not set rates or regulate the services’ terms and conditions. To ensure that the market for retail Internet services remains competitive, however, large cable and telephone companies must offer their wholesale customers (independent ISPs) access to their networks under terms and conditions approved by the CRTC.
With different pricing plans for wholesale Internet services proposed, the Commission is asking Canadians to visit www.internetservices.publivate.com and provide their thoughts on the following questions:
– How do you think large cable and telephone companies should charge independent ISPs for the use of their networks?
– What kind of wholesale pricing plans encourage innovative products and services that benefit consumers?
– What kind of wholesale pricing plans encourage network investment by large companies and independent ISPs? and
– What kind of wholesale pricing plans would be most beneficial for consumers?
Canadian have until midnight (EST) on June 24 to participate. The results will be of the Commission’s wholesale Internet access services review that is scheduled to begin on July 11, 2011 in Gatineau.
