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What the US Can Learn From Canada's Internet Policy

blottsie writes As the U.S. continues to debate how best to establish net neutrality regulations over Internet service providers, author and journalist Peter Nowak explains how how Canada has already dealt with these issues, and what the U.S. can learn from its neighbor to the north."[Canadian Prime Minister Stephen] Harper has made the connection between telecom policy and actual votes, and that has had enormous impact on public policy," says Michael Geist, the Canada Research Chair in internet and e-commerce law at the University of Ottawa. "This is a ballot-box or pocket-book issue that hasn't really been seen yet in the United States."

2 of 144 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Was impressed until.. by iCEBaLM · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I live in Ontario. I have the choice of about 25 ISPs, multiple DSL, multiple Cable, a few wireless, some satellite...

    The problem with DSL is the last mile belongs to Bell, the others just rent the lines at wholesale prices. Same with Cable, it's either Rogers or Cogeco, depending on location, for the last mile.

    However, unlike Cogeco, I get to pay an "indie" ISP $50/mo for a 20mbps/10mbps uncapped package, where Cogeco wants to charge $100 for the same thing.

  2. Re:Was impressed until.. by CrimsonAvenger · · Score: 3, Interesting

    We don't need 2000 pages for this...

    Hmm, seems to be a reference to the ACA. Note that we didn't need 2000 pages for that, either.

    Start with "Age of eligibility for Medicare decreases by one year for every 90 days after the date this legislation becomes law".

    Then, "All individuals under the age of majority (currently 18 in the USA, last I looked) are eligible for Medicare as of the date this legislation becomes law".

    At that point, we're on a 12 year transition to Single-Payer, and everyone should be happy (except possibly the Insurance Companies that bought the ACA).

    --

    "I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"