Media Release
OTTAWA – Consumers are the real winners in a Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) decision on wholesale Internet services released today, said the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC).
In a remarkably clear and helpful decision, the CRTC set wholesale rates for Internet that will allow independent ISPs to offer sustainable competitive alternatives to internet services offered by large cable and telephone-based ISPs such as Rogers Communications and Bell Canada.
“The CRTC clearly heard the voice of consumers who wanted real competition in broadband Internet, lower prices and no usage caps” said John Lawford, PIAC Counsel. “This decision creates a competitive framework for Canada’s retail internet pricing to finally deliver real value to consumers,” added Lawford.
PIAC represented Canada Without Poverty, Option consommateurs and Rural Dignity in the CRTC hearing on rates, arguing for a wholesale rate structure that could sustain competition in broadband and therefore put downward pressure on retail internet prices, increase incentives to offer higher speeds, including the removal of data caps and put the consumer back into the internet driver’s seat.
“The Government listened to consumers and asked the CRTC to get internet competition right. They did.” said Lawford.
Read the full decision: Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2011-703 http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2011/2011-703.pdf
For more information:
John Lawford
Counsel
Public Interest Advocacy Centre
ONE Nicholas Street, Suite 1204
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 7B7
(613) 562-4002×25
(613) 447-8125 (cell)
(613) 562-0007 (Fax)
jlawford@piac.ca

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