CRTC – Page 2 – rgbFilter

CRTC ruling merely “a framework”

October 21, 2009 Doug Groves Bell, CRTC, Teksavvy, throttling11 Comments

The CRTC has finally ruled in the long standing Bell throttling case. The ruling is a bit of a mish-mash of both good and bad, and a fair bit of haziness. Although there is a requirement of transparency from the major ISPs to both their retail and wholesale customers, it looks like Internet Traffic Management Practices (ITMPs) such as throttling will likely continue at least until the first complaint rolls into the CRTC (which should happen pretty fast). The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today introduced a new framework…

Canadian Copyright Reform… uhm… stuff

October 21, 2009October 21, 2009 Doug Groves comedy, copyright, CRIA, CRTC, Hulu2 Comments

The above clip from This Hour Has 22 Minutes (from Oct 20, 2009) is a great bit about the fears of new technologies and their impact on the recording and television industry. Of course, the fears of new technology destroying the living of artists stretches all the way back to the player piano. Somehow we’ve managed to survive this far… In other news, the Globe and Mail today has an interesting article about how Canadians are being left out in the cold (no ‘snow’ wisecracks please) when it comes to…

It’s Rogers vs Rogers and Bell vs Bell at the CRTC

October 16, 2009 Doug Groves Bell, canada, CRTC, Rogers0 comment

Sometimes when you start researching and writing, it’ll take you to unexpected places. Those places could be far off lands only tangentially related to your initial interest (thanks to Wikipedia), or keep you focused on the matter at hand, while consolidating your position. The latter is true in the case of this article, which I thought was going to be just a bit of information on the CRTC Fee For Carriage (FFC) issue, which a couple of jabs at the ridiculous PSAs both sides are showing. It became something different……

The Canadian Broadband Wars Heat Up

September 24, 2009September 24, 2009 Doug Groves Bell, broadband, CRTC, net neutrality, online rights, Telus2 Comments

A new initiative was recently launched to battle the CRTC rulings regarding Bell and Telus and access to network infrastructure. Competitivebroadband.com, which is comprised of a wide range of independent ISPs and coalitions, is aiming squarely at making the consumer aware of, and getting them involved with, the proceedings. From their mission statement… Following the decision by the CRTC, which was released on 11 December 2008, MTS Allstream decided to petition the federal Cabinet, which has the power to reverse this decision. Others have also made their views known in…

Episode 018 – Net talk

July 18, 2009July 18, 2009 Doug Groves CRTC, google, Microsoft, throttling, Zombies7 Comments

It’s an extra large dose of rgb this episode, as we discuss Google’s new OS, as well as a number of new developments from the company that will ‘do no evil’. We also talk about the new high speed initiatives from the major telecoms, Microsoft’s new branding strategies, and much more. Don’t forget that the Toronto Zombie Walk is holding a Fiendraiser tonight, Saturday July 18th.

Net Neutrality In Canada: An Update

July 14, 2009July 14, 2009 Doug Groves CRTC, net neutrality, throttling0 comment

Last week, the CRTC began conducting its hearing into the status of a number of issues facing Canada’s digital future, not the least of which is throttling practices. Since it’s launch just about all the major players, from telecoms to creative associations and private individuals have all had their say. There’s still at least one more day to go as we all await to hear from Bell (who’s 3rd party throttling helped propel the issue to the forefront), but in the past week there’s been some interesting stances, as well…

CRTC Bell Hearings Continue – Let your voice be heard!

June 12, 2009June 12, 2009 Doug Groves Bell, CRTC2 Comments

As we’ve covered many times in the past, Bell has continued to put a stranglehold on innovation in Canada’s DSL infrastructure, as we’ve seen our rankings in the world continue to slip further back. Although slow in coming, the CRTC hearings continue regarding Bell throttling 3rd party wholesale customer, and public input for round two is open, until June 22nd. To Fight The Power…

No fee for carriage, says CRTC

October 31, 2008July 25, 2009 Danny X CRTC6 Comments

Originally published in Marketing Magazine, October 31, 2008 | By Canadian Press, with files from Chris Powell The CRTC says Canadians will get more choices in the television programs they watch at no additional cost under new rules the broadcast regulator plans to introduce. The federal regulator’s vision of Canadian television in the future would allow cable and satellite operators to provide a wider menu of conventional and specialty channels, as long as the entire package contains at least 51% Canadian content. CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein said Thursday there…

Bill C-61 To Return?

October 8, 2008July 25, 2009 Doug Groves CRTC, online rights9 Comments

(original image found at Wikipedia Commons) Though we try not to stray into party politics, digital copyright and internet issues are important to everyone. With the federal election a week away, it’s worth pointing out where each of the parties stand on the issue. We’ve discussed C-61 before, a nasty piece of legislation reform also known as the “DMCA of Canada”. The Bill caused the formation of a number of groups fighting against it, but ultimately died on the table when a federal election was called about a month ago….

Wireless Spectrum Sales Concluded In Canada: Cheaper Services To Come?

July 22, 2008July 25, 2009 Doug Groves CRTC28 Comments

The huge CRTC sale of new wireless spectrum concluded on Monday, bringing in about $4.25 billion dollars to the government, and possibly (finally?) putting a dent in the long running Great Canadian Telecom Duopoly of Rogers and Bell. One of the highest bidders to the new spectrum is Globalive Inc, which is best known for its Yak long distance service. The company has laid about $442.1 million for licenses in all provinces except Quebec, in an effort to build an all new national wireless provider. To maintain it’s stranglehold in…

Grassroots Growing Over Bill C-61

July 17, 2008July 25, 2009 Doug Groves CRTC, online rights1 Comment

In keeping up with the fight against Bill C-61, c61in61seconds.ca has launched. It’s a YouTube channel that’s giving users a central hub to post their opinions on the new Bill C-61 amendments that are going through the system here in Canada. Many people see these changes as little more than a Canadian version of the DMCA. An ever increasing number of Canadians are speaking out, however, and the with the summer delay of the Bill, the grassroots are getting some time to grow. The above video tells you how you…

Bell’s Own Data Shatters P2P Red Herring

June 26, 2008February 2, 2011 Doug Groves Bell, CRTC, online rights, Teksavvy10 Comments

About a week ago, the CRTC demanded that Bell release to the public by June 23rd information that would prove it’s claim that P2P throttling was having a negative impact on it’s network. Some, but not all, of that information has been made public. Many details are being kept from public view for ‘competitive’ reasons. Even the scant evidence released shows exactly how flimsy Bell’s case is. One would assume that the company would release the most damaging evidence, but their claim is that over a 2 month period, 2-5%…