Stephen Harper finally does something unquestionably good;

So awhile ago, Rogers/Bell decided to violently rape Canadians again by putting caps on internet usage. Go over 2GB a month and you pay extra. If that wasn't scary enough, our resident board of incompetent toadies we call the CRTC actually thought it'd be a good idea to go along with it.

The Harper gov't, a historically embattled minority that catches flak from both sides, finally did something that nobody (except Rogers and Bell CEOs perhaps) is going to complain about: STFU and GTFO our Internets

Quote :

The Harper government will overturn the CRTC’s decision that effectively ends “unlimited use” Internet plans if the regulator doesn’t rescind the decision itself.

Industry Minister Tony Clement made the surprise announcement late Wednesday night via his closely followed Twitter account.

Translation: *bitchslapped*

Quote :

“I’m looking forward to the CRTC chairman’s appearance before the House Industry Committee … to explain his support for the UBB decision,” the Industry Minister said via Twitter.

To drive home his point, Mr. Clement quickly added: “I remain very concerned by the UBB decision of the CRTC and look forward to my review being completed ASAP.”

"And leave the money-grubbing to the Pros."

Quote :

It's an unwelcome development for major Internet providers, which have fought for years for the CRTC ruling that effectively ends “unlimited” Internet download plans.

Those poor, poor, media giants who just barely make ends meet to buy their friends and family new houses and yachts.

Disagree with Harper and pals all you want, but even the most red-coated Grit can't decry this ruling.

2GB? That's... ridiculous. What was their reasoning for this??

grmblfjx wrote:

2GB? That's... ridiculous. What was their reasoning for this??

Money. What else?

No no, I meant reasoning, not reason. Normally they like to pretend it's crucial they do this because ___(not money)____.

Likely because "of the strain the unregulated traffic puts on our service." Which is, of course, complete hogwash.

They never really gave an official reason, probably because nobody would buy it.

ETA: Did I say 2GB? I meant 20. Rogers is full of greedy twats, sure, but they're not outright stupid.

Pretty much any time ISPs set out to screw their customers they make excuses about bandwidth costs. It's the basis of the whole Internet tier system bullshit too.

So they didn't even give a reason? That's cheeky.

the asylum wrote:

Likely because "of the strain the unregulated traffic puts on our service." Which is, of course, complete hogwash.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

called it

Quote :

KVF defends Internet metering. "I would like to reiterate the Commission’s view that usage-based billing is a legitimate principle for pricing Internet services. We are convinced that Internet services are no different than other public utilities, and the vast majority of Internet users should not be asked to subsidize a small minority of heavy users. For us, it is a question of fundamental fairness. Let me restate: ordinary users should not be forced to subsidize heavy users."

As I said, complete hogwash.

...And yet Australia is still so very far behind. Unlimited plans here are very very rare.