CRTC to review usage-based billing decision

The CRTC will delay the implementation of usage-based billing by at least 60 days while it reviews its controversial decision on the matter. Customers were quick to react to the regulator’s ruling allowing the major Canadian Internet providers to charge smaller companies by the amount of data they transfer, effectively eliminating unlimited Internet service in Canada. In testimony before the House of Commons, CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein said he’d decided to review the decision before the Conservative government threatened to overrule the commission. Von Finkelstein nonetheless added he stands by the principle behind the ruling. “The ordinary users should not subsidize the heavy users,” he said. “We are convinced that Internet services are no different than other public utilities,” he said.

Toronto Star