Canada: 'Throttling' Net Neutrality

Wed

May

2008

Written by Press Release

Wednesday, 21 May 2008 12:00

Stop The Throttler!
by StopTheThrottler.ca
Bell and Rogers are changing how the Internet works by dictating how Web users access content. Bell is limiting Sympatico subscribers from downloading content. Subscribers of Internet hosting companies that buy wholesale services from Bell have already been feeling the pinch since mid-March.

This policy is more accurately referred to as ‘throttling’, and it fundamentally changes how the Internet works.

Meanwhile, Rogers, in addition to its own traffic shaping activities, has announced it will charge subscribers more for Internet activities that use more bandwidth. Instead of users deciding how we use the Internet, ISPs are now trying "shape" our traffic.

The companies argue they are trying to limit activities that use up a lot of bandwidth in order to maintain speed for all users. But there is a dangerous reality hidden beneath the companies' apparent concern for subscribers.

Using the same "traffic shaping" principle, the companies can steer subscribers to their own content, or content produced by affiliated companies, and away from that offered by competitors - including the public broadcaster.

For example, some Internet users who recently tried to download CBC's The Next Greatest Prime Minister on Bittorrent were told it would take hours to do so.

For more than a decade, the Internet was a neutral resource for people around the world to share information with each other.

Do we really want Bell and Rogers to be able to tell us what we can and cannot view and do on the Internet?

LEARN MORE about Net Neutrality

An insightful blog entry by Michael Geist

Charlie Angus Pressures Industry Minister On Net Neutrality (VIDEO)

Why a throttled Web is a Net loss, Wayne MacPhail

NUPGE resources on net neutrality campaign

CDM Media release: Campaign for Democratic Media launches “Stop the Throttler” campaign

Join the STOP THE THROTTLER facebook group.

Please help us keep the Internet Open - Support the Campaign:
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written by Jeremy Glyn, May 21, 2008

Looking through the links at the bottom of this story, I can't help but wonder why is Charlie Angus the only MP speaking out on this in Ottawa? Other than the NDP, where the heck are the other parties on this!?!
This is such an obvious fight for right vs. wrong, and the only people motivated to do 'wrong' are the corporate interests that benefit financially from an un-neutral internet.
I guess the telcos can line up with the banks and oil companies amongst those that get ridiculous benefit from the government with virtually no one calling them out on it.
Go Charlie!