Keeping the Internet free for all

But even if the ruling is struck down, the pressure on Canada’s telecoms and the CRTC will not relent.

Tennant has big dreams for the future of Canadian Internet access. He proposes that a third party be added to compete with Rogers and Bell, both of which currently dominate most phone and internet service in Canada.

He also called for a “complete overhaul” of the CRTC, which he believes is dominated too strongly by former employees of the very telecoms they regulate.

“We need to totally change the infrastructure,” he believes, in order to secure affordable, accessible Internet for Canadians in the years to come.

As a long term goal, he dreams of a day when there is free, publicly-funded wi-fi access for all Canadians in major cities.

He acknowledges it’s going to take some work, and admits that the technology might not be there at the moment, but believes it’s “definitely something worth pushing for”.

Layton agrees that the playing field needs to be leveled for smaller telecoms, but said he thinks consumer action will show Bell and Rogers that Canadians care about their Internet.

“Dinosaurs will die,” says Layton. “We can’t let the big telecoms shut out the smaller, emerging companies.”

The future depends on how fiercely Canadians oppose these proposed regulations. But with the opposition at its current strength, Bell and Rogers will likely be forced to make some changes to the way they provide their consumers with access.

Tennant will be involved in organizing what’s being dubbed a “Day of Action” against UBB. It will take place February 26, 2011 in Toronto’s Queen’s Park, and already has hundreds of people planning to attend.

“The Internet should be free,” believes Tennant. How far this sentiment goes is up to Canadian consumers.

ARB Team
Arbitrage Magazine
Business News with BITE.

Liked this post? Why not buy the ARB team a beer? Just click an ad or donate below (thank you!)