Sparked by OpenMedia.ca, Vancouver city council yesterday called on the CRTC to reverse itself on usage sensitive billing for internet service. This is the same city that wanted to tax telecom companies on a revenue sensitive basis in order to access city streets.
And at this same meeting, the council voted on parking meter rates. I guess the city of Vancouver has different views on usage sensitive billing based on whether it is charging or being charged.
You can watch the video of the meeting here. You will see some fascinating misinformation: that the city is confused about some companies having bid and been granted a monopoly [really?] and the city was told that small ISPs have no other way to reach customers other than through one of these ordained monopolies.
One of the council members argued that Canada provides flat-rate mail service across country; why should internet be different? Maybe Vancouver is different. I don’t have access to flat rate mail service where I live. I pay per packet. In fact, I pay a different rate based on whether the postal packet is going to Canada or the US or overseas. Does Vancouver really have flat monthly rate unlimited postage? That would drive economic development. It would be a shipper’s dream!
Coverage in the Vancouver Sun here. As one city observer tweeted:
Homelessness, property taxes, Olympic Village condos. Nope, Vision Vancouver wants to debate federal CRTC internet billing policy instead