COMMENTARY: Carriers aren't the internet, just the conduit, and need policing

By Timothy Denton

THE CRTC’S DECISION ON differential pricing practices will be praised or blamed according to one’s inclinations: whether to trust the innovative tendencies of carriers or the capacity of regulators to enforce fairness. Trust is the key, because each side of the argument honestly believes the other to be mistaken on a very large point of policy. How much weight do we assign to the deficiencies of regulation, as against the propensities of carriers to squeeze the tubes for profit?Those inclined to trust the innovative propensities of carriers deplore the CRTC’s comprehensive decision to prevent unwarranted profit-seeking. Those who believe, as...