The CRTC, Canada's communication regulator, has ruled that Bell can charge smaller ISPs based on usage, essentially forcing the small ISPs to stop offering unlimited internet packages and to bill based on usage, just as Bell, Rogers and Shaw do.

One ISP, Tekksavvy, has already slashed the amount of data its customers can download in a month, in some cases almost 90 per cent. 

Jean-Franois Mezei, a Montreal-based computer consultant, appealed the usage-based billing (UBB) decision, saying it impedes the ability of internet service providers to provide different choices of service for their customers.

"Without choice, there is no competition, and incumbents can then raise prices and lower service limits knowing customer have nowhere to go," said Mezei's petition to the Governor in Council.

NDP MP Charlie Angus said the decision could hit many Canadians financially. "Allowing the internet service providers to ding you every time you download is a ripoff. Canada is already falling behind other countries in terms of choice, accessibility and pricing for the internet," he said.

Michael Hlinka, business commentator for CBC Toronto's Metro Morning, said usage-based billing would be fairer for light internet users.

"Right now with, under the current system, somebody like me who doesn't use his internet very much at home is subsidizing heavy users," he said.

"I don't understand why people don't think that you should pay for what you use."

CBC Radio's Spark devoted much of its Jan. 30 show to UBB, and featured interviews with Mirko Bibic from Bell Canada and Steve Anderson, the founder and National Coordinator of OpenMedia.ca, a group that's put together a petition against UBB called "Stop The Meter."

What do you think of the CRTC ruling? Should internet use be charged by flat rate or by usage? Should ISPs be free to charge as they see fit?