CRTC seeks wholesale internet pricing ideas

Canada's internet regulator has launched a formal online public consultation on how companies like Bell and Rogers should charge independent ISPs for network access.

The consultation, announced Thursday,is part of a review the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission is holding of previous decisions it made that allowed Bell to impose specific usage-based caps on its wholesale customers and charge them extra per gigabyte fees if they exceed those caps.

Small ISPs rent network access from larger ISPs to create internet packages to sell to home and business internet users.

The CRTC sets certain terms and conditions for the way large cable and telephone companies offer network access to the small ISPs who are their wholesale internet customers in an effort to boost competition in the Canadian retail internet market.

In light of that goal, the commission is seeking comments answering the questions:

• How do you think large cable and telephone companies should charge independent ISPs for the use of their networks?
• What kind of wholesale pricing plans encourage innovative products and services that benefit consumers?
• What kind of wholesale pricing plans encourage network investment by large companies and independent ISPs?
• What kind of wholesale pricing plans would be most beneficial for consumers?

Comments are being accepted at a special online consultation websiteuntil June 24.

Earlier in the review, the CRTC had soughtcomments by mail, fax and onlineas part of its regular consultation process, asking more specific questions about usage-based billing and whether an online public consultation should be part of the proceedings. The deadline for those comments was April 29.

The review also includes a public hearing in Gatineau, Que., on July 11.

The CRTC announced the reviewin Februaryfollowing a huge public outcry over its usage-based billing decisions.

The consumer internet lobby group Open Media had collected hundreds of thousands of names on a petition against the decisions andthe NDP, Liberals and Conservatives had criticized the rulings.

Industry Minister Tony Clement said that heexpectedthe CRTC to reverse the decisions.