好消息：UBB被搁浅

Statement from the Chairman of the CRTC on usage-based billing


OTTAWA-GATINEAU, February 3, 2011 —The Chairman of the Canadian
Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Konrad von
Finckenstein, Q.C., today made the following statement in an appearance
before the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology of the
House of Commons:

“Our decisions were set to take effect on March 1, 2011. We have since
received from Bell Canada a request that we delay the implementation date
by 60 days. A party from our last proceeding, Vaxination Informatique, has
also filed a request for a delay.

In light of these requests and the evident concerns expressed by Canadians,
the Commission has decided to:

Delay the implementation of usage-based billing for wholesale customers by
at least 60 days.

Launch, of our own motion, a review of our decision to verify that:

it protects consumers those who use the Internet heavily pay for their
excess use, and Small ISPs retain maximum flexibility and continue to be a
key source of innovation in the industry.

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.

In addition, we want to be absolutely certain that the modalities we have
established are the most flexible under the circumstances and do not hinder
innovation or harm Small ISPs.

A document outlining the terms of the review will be posted on our website
this coming Monday.”