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Bell Proposing Usage-Based Billing

Posted by samzenpus on from the pay-the-man dept.

Idiomatick writes "Bell Canada is attempting to impose UBB on its wholesale customers. As Bell was given a last-mile monopoly in much of Canada by the government, they are required to follow rules set up by the CRTC; this includes leasing their lines to competitive ISPs. And they are given a directive by the CRTC to provide competitive speeds to said ISPs. Teksavvy has informed its customers that were this to go through, the current monthly cap would be quartered and the cost for exceeding it would be 'multiple times more than our current per Gigabyte rate of $0.25/GB on overages.' They have also helpfully included a link where you can send your comments/concerns to the CRTC directly."

5 of 238 comments (clear)

  1. You canadians need a regulator with some teeth by jonwil · · Score: 5, Informative

    No wholesale provider here in Australia could impose such charges on 3rd party ISPs in this way, if they did, the ACCC would put a stop to that. (at least as far as fixed line DSL goes)

    1. Re:You canadians need a regulator with some teeth by Nazlfrag · · Score: 5, Informative

      Australia? Where you get charged $150 a gigabyte for excess usage? As detailed in the light grey text in smaller font underneath the plan? Yeah, we're doing great.

      Telstra: Additional usage charged at $0.15/MB.
      Optus: Excess Data: $0.15/MB up to 2 GB then Speed Limited to 64 kbps

    2. Re:You canadians need a regulator with some teeth by jonwil · · Score: 5, Informative

      I am paying AU$50 per month and getting 25GB (10GB peak and 15GB off peak) per month with no excess usage charges ever. If I exceed the 25GB, I get shaped back down to 64kbps for the rest of the month. Only idiots who sign up with Tel$tra BigPond or Optarse get hit with crap like that, there are options available (no matter what bit of gear your phone line is hooked up to) that have no excess usage fees ever. (pretty much all of them do have the "you get x amount per month and then get shaped down to 64k or 128k for the rest of the month" though)

  2. Consequence of CRTC regulations by Dr+J.+keeps+the+nerd · · Score: 5, Informative

    The CRTC requires Bell to resell its lines for fixed rates. Bell must offer service that's at least as good as what it provides to its own customers. As the regulated rate is below Bell's own rate of return from an actual Bell customer, Bell has no incentive to provide better service that what it provides to its own customers. If the CRTC allowed for other arrangements, Bell could strike a deal with a wholesaler to offer unlimited service at a higher price. As it stands, it can't. Nothing here is surprising.

  3. Re:Thats it... by shimojimatto · · Score: 5, Informative

    I'm moving to.. oh. Well fuck them!

    Move to Japan! The AWESOME internet choices are endless!

    1000Mbit fibre Optic for $50/mo after a $300 setup fee (this service is pretty new)
    Unlimited usage... no caps... no filters

    OR
    100Mbit fibre optic for $60~70 a month no setup fee
    Unlimited usage... no caps... no filters

    OR
    50Mbit ADSL for $30 a month.. no setup fee
    Unlimited usage... no caps... no filters

    OR
    3.0Mbit (down... only about 1Mbit up) wireless internet anywhere through the cell network for varying prices based on data usage...

    And those top 3 also usually include free IP phones and some sort of video download service... optional Video On Demand services etc.etc...

    Why does the US suck so bad?