Media Advisory: CRTC to Make Landmark Decision on Internet Freedom

Decision to define Canada’s digital path

According to the CBC, after twice delaying the ruling, the CRTC will make a landmark decision on the Bell Throttling case by 9 a.m. tomorrow. The decision will determine whether Bell Canada has violated the Telecommunications Act by slowing down the Internet access it sells to wholesale customers.

Steve Anderson from SaveOurNet.ca coalition will be available for comment.

Steve said today, “This decision has huge implications for Internet service competition online innovation, consumer choice and free speech. The biggest battle over the Internet is yet to come, but this ruling will signal whether the CRTC is willing to take action to put Canada on a path that supports online innovation, and online choice. Otherwise the CRTC is abdicating its responsibility to Canadian people and putting us on a path towards a more closed Internet defined by the interests of big telecom companies.”

Bell began throttling its own Sympatico retail customers in October 2007, and extended the practice in March to CAIP members, which rent portions of Bell's network to provide internet service to their own customers. The CRTC rejected CAIP's call for an immediate cease-and-desist order but launched a public investigation into Bell's actions.

About SaveOurNet.ca:
SaveOurNet.ca is a coalition of citizens, businesses, and public interest groups fighting to protect our Internet's level playing field. We're calling on lawmakers and industry to protect openness, choice, and access for ALL Canadians — and stopping lobbyists and special interests from ruining Canada's Internet.

A list of coalition members can be found here:
http://saveournet.ca/members

Background information about the issue of Net Neutrality can be found in our “Fact vs Fiction” report:
http://saveournet.ca/sites/default/files/SON_FvF.pdf

Background information on the CAIP proceeding can be found in this Campaign for Democratic Media submission to the CRTC:
http://www.cippic.ca/uploads/CIPPIC_CAIPvBell_FINAL.pdf

Previous Press Release on this ruling:
http://saveournet.ca/content/coalition-rallies-public-support-open-inter...

Media reports on tomorrow’s decision:
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/11/19/tech-crtc.html?ref=rss:
http://www.p2pnet.net/story/17638

More at: http://saveournet.ca

Contact:
Steve Anderson
SaveOurNet.ca
Coordinator
604-837-5730
steve@democraticmedia.ca