As our own Josh Tabish put it: “If they’re the same companies and the geographical difficulties are the same, why are they charging different rates? And the answer is, they can get away with it.” Article by CBC News A new regional Bell Aliant promotion has some critics saying the
Continue readingTag: affordability
OpenMedia.ca: The fate of affordable access to next-generation Internet will be decided this week.
This week the the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is expected to announce a major decision that will significantly impact whether or not Canadians have access to a variety of affordable Internet services independent of Big Telecom, including next-generation fibre. read more
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Globe and Mail: Coalition calls on CRTC to force expansion of broadband access
Article by Christine Dobby for The Globe and Mail A coalition of groups representing consumers, seniors and anti-poverty activists is calling on Canada’s telecom regulator to force industry players to expand access to high-speed Internet for low-income households and those living in rural areas. read more
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Vancouver 24hs: BC groups push CRTC for cheaper Internet
Ensure Canadians get faster, cheaper Interner while there’s still time! Speak out at UnblockCanada.ca Article by Stefania Seccia for Vancouver 24hs. This Tuesday is the deadline to submit initial comments on the fast-approaching hearings for cheaper, faster Internet — and so far 25,000 people have signed a petition and scores
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: CBC News: Are wireless prices set to rise further, following Rogers’ gobbling-up of Mobilicity?
Canadians are worried they’ll be stuck with ridiculously-priced cell phone plans, following Rogers’ acquisition of indie provider Mobilicity earlier this week. Don’t forget to speak out and tell James Moore to rein in Big Telecom gatekeepers. Article by Sophia Harris for CBC News Rogers has gobbled
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Canadian cell phone users will pay the price for government’s broken promises on Rogers/Mobilicity deal
Moore.jpg Rogers $440 million takeover of Mobilicity will mean fewer choices and higher prices for Canadian cell phone subscribers when wireless prices are already increasing at 3 times the rate of inflation June 24, 2015 – Mobilicity has accepted a $440 million takeover from Rogers, Inc., according to documents filed
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Mobilicity employees’ MVNO proposal deserves serious consideration, although wireless prices will rise even further unless indie spectrum is kept out of Big Telecom’s hands
UnblockCanada_fbshare.jpg Reports over weekend suggest government is poised to allow Rogers and Telus to acquire Mobilicity’s valuable wireless spectrum, despite promises it would be set aside for affordable, independent providers June 22, 2015: Mobilicity’s employees and founder are calling for government action to ensure their business can continue as a
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: New report shows Canada’s wireless rates are (STILL) among the worst in the world
by OpenMedia Digital Rights Campaigner Laura Tribe Is the federal government trying to hide from results of this year’s report on telecom prices in Canada? Their silence today over the release of the annual Wall Report report sure makes it look that way – and having seen the results, it’s
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Telecom bills are rising rapidly: Government report confirms that cell phone cost increases are running at three times the rate of inflation
UnblockCanada_cycle_fbshare (1).png Official report finds that wireless prices are still rising steeply, and that overall telecom costs are among the most expensive in the industrialized world June 18, 2015 – A major government report released this morning confirms that Canadians are still paying among the highest prices in the industrialized
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: We’re Telling U.S. Congress to Stop the Sneak Attack on the Internet Slow Lane
Well, here we go again: a powerful committee in the U.S. House of Representatives has introduced a bill that would kill the FCC’s Open Internet rules – or, so-called “Net Neutrality” rules – that we fought hard for and won after a long battle alongside a broad coalition of civil
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: We are hosting a Social Media Town Hall Q&A on the state of Canada’s Internet. Join us!
As you may have heard, OpenMedia has been collaborating with experts at the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) to launch a new open source Internet Performance Test that will help us better understand Canada’s Internet. By using the tool, you’ll help build a wealth of knowledge that researchers, policy-makers, and
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Today is Cell Phone Freedom Day: new customer protection rules ensure 2–4 million Canadians can move between providers without penalty
cellphonefreedom_fbshare.png Code contains significant customer protections for mobile phone and Internet users, including an end to 3-year contracts, and caps on roaming charges for data June 3, 2015 – Beginning today, between 2 and 4 million Canadian mobile phone customers trapped in three year contracts will be able to cancel
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Media Advisory: June 3 is Cell Phone Freedom Day: new mobile phone customer protection rules come into effect for 2–4 million Canadians
cpfd-blogv2.png Code contains significant customer protections for mobile phone and Internet users, including an end to 3-year contracts, and caps on roaming charges for data Image credit: Mobile Phones And Abercrombie by Garry Knight (CC BY-NC 2.0) https://flic.kr/ps/8e5AR WHO: Josh Tabish, Campaigns Manager, OpenMedia David Christopher, Communications Manager, OpenMedia
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Zuckerberg’s Internet.org is NOT the real Internet. It’s a trap
In response to pressure from our community, OpenMedia launched a new campaign called No Fake Internet, inviting people from around the world to stand with open Internet advocates in places like India, Brazil, read more
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: News 1130: Are you getting the Internet speeds you pay for?
Are you getting the Internet speeds you pay for? The CRTC has a new way for you to find out. Article by Martin MacMahon for News 1130 We’ve all complained at one point or another about slow Internet speeds, but now we’ll have a way of actually finding out if
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: OpenMedia welcomes new CRTC Internet speed measurement program as a win for Canadians and an important step to protect net neutrality
wifilogo.png OpenMedia welcomes new CRTC Internet speed measurement program as a win for Canadians and an important step to protect net neutrality May 21, 2015 – This morning the CRTC announced a new Internet speed measurement program designed to “measure the performance of their home broadband Internet services,” and is
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Federal Court of Appeal rejects Big Telecom’s efforts to delay implementation of wireless customer protection rules
victoryfb.jpg Federal Court of Appeal rejects Big Telecom’s efforts to delay implementation of wireless customer protection rules May 19, 2015 – The Federal Court of Appeal today has rejected Big Telecom’s efforts to delay the implementation of the Wireless Code of Conduct, stating that the CRTC “…has the right to
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Huffington Post: Zuckerberg’s Internet.org overshadows local efforts to get people connected to the full Internet
Internet.org not only violates net neutrality, it puts privacy, free expression and innovation at risk wherever it goes. Speak out now at No Fake Internet. Article by Timothy Karr for the Huffington Post Mark Zuckerberg’s plan for world domination is in deep trouble. read more
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: In a win for Canadians, CRTC promises fair rules to promote greater choice and affordability in our mobile phone market
New rules from regulator ensures Canadians will have choices outside the Big Three leading to lower phone bills and more flexible offerings in the not-too-distant future. May 5, 2015 – A major ruling from the CRTC today signals a significant step toward providing Canadians with greater choice and affordability in
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Federal Court of Appeal allows Bell Mobility to challenge university student, single mother, seniors’ organization and others in court over recent CRTC ruling on Mobile TV
big_telecom_headquarters.png April 2, 2015 – Today’s the Federal Court of Appeal announced that Bell Mobility will be allowed to challenge a recent CRTC decision prohibiting the telecom giant from making competing apps and services more expensive. The decision means that Bell could potentially seek legal costs from university student Ben
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