TELUS Business Solutions has started to create the Ultimate IT Checklist, housed within its TELUS Talks Business website.

They have set up a discussion group to talk about the kinds of things that should be included in “IT Checklists,” such as:

• Top questions to ask when moving to the cloud
• Top things to look for when shopping for a data centre
• Top questions to ask a new potential IT hire
• Top security questions regarding cloud computing
• What to look for when replacing your old PBX
• Challenges in training IT staff on new technology advancements

It is an interesting way to engage with customers to encourage them to share experience. I am perhaps less interested in the checklists as I am in seeing the level of dialog on the site.

To what extent do you think corporate professionals will participate in such a project? How would you suggest engaging with that demographic?

In recent weeks, the federal government has introduced legislation that is designed to modernize Canada’s copyright laws, improve privacy protection, and various ministers have made multiple announcements on research and training at various schools across the country [such as here and here].

We seem to be witnessing a stream of tactics without a clear statement of the overall objective.

According to the press release that was issued last Thursday with the Copyright legislation:

Modernizing Canada’s copyright laws is an important part of the Government’s strategy for the digital economy.

The privacy laws were characterized similarly:

Ensuring trust and confidence through the protection of personal information is essential to the growth of the digital economy

Of course these statements are true. But, implicit in these soundbites is a perception that somewhere, there exists a comprehensive Government strategy for the digital economy. Where is it?

Maybe I missed it while I was away for Rosh Hashana last week, but did anyone ask “Can I get a copy of that digital economy strategy you keep referring to?”

And if copyright and privacy are “parts” of a strategy, what are the other parts? How do these pieces of legislation tie into the other elements of the strategy? Are there co-requisites, prerequisites? How do elements of the omnibus crime bill or its follow-up, the lawful access legislation, fit into the overall strategy? Is foreign direct investment in carriers part of the mix?

Will the national digital strategy play a role in a restructuring of our regulatory bodies or in the selection criteria for the new chair of the CRTC?

How can something be said to be “an important part” of a strategy that does not yet exist? I happen to agree that privacy, modernized copyright, support for increased R&D, digital law enforcement investigative powers and more are all important parts of our government’s strategy. But let’s face it, the strategy itself must be at least as important. Otherwise, how important can these piece parts be?

In the absence of a road map to a prescribed destination, shouldn’t we at least get a clear statement about the direction toward which we are heading?

We all want 5 bars on our mobile devices, but no one seems to want a tower within sight. We want faster broadband connections, but without digging up our roads.

Across the country, neighbourhood groups have mobilized against carriers seeking to improve their wireless coverage [see for example]. More than 3 years ago, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities issued a report “Highway Robbery: How Federal Telecom Rules Cost Taxpayers and Damage Public Roads” (see my post from that time).

Against this backdrop, how do we advance the state of digital infrastructure?

The CRTC has issued a public notice, launching a proceeding to consider a model Municipal Access Agreement.

The introduction of competition in the provision of telecommunications services has led to an increase in the number of carriers in the industry. Concomitantly, there has been an increase in the demand for access to municipal rights-of-way, such as street crossings and other municipal property, for the purposes of installing, operating, and maintaining transmission facilities.

With this consultation, the Commission is looking to develop a model agreement through a two-step process. First, this public consultation seeks input on what types of considerations should be part of the model agreement and what policy matters need to be addressed in respect to access to public property. In the second step, the Commission envisions establishing an ad-hoc working group to develop the terms and conditions to be included in the model agreement, based on the results of the first step.

The CRTC took steps yesterday to improve its complaints resolution process for internet traffic management practices [press release, information bulletin]. CRTC Chair Konrad von Finckenstein was quoted saying:

The policy sets out clear ground rules, which we expect all ISPs to follow,” said Konrad von Finckenstein, Q.C., Chairman of the CRTC. “The guidelines we issued today will help Canadians understand which practices are permitted and how to make a complaint. We will require ISPs that are not following the rules to take corrective action as quickly as possible.

When receiving a complaint regarding an internet traffic management practice, CRTC staff will seek a response from the ISP in question. If the ISP fails to respond or bring itself into compliance, the CRTC will take further action, such as meeting with the ISP, on-site inspections, independent third-party audits, or calling the ISP to a public hearing.

Very little has been said about the potential for use of “independent third-party audits.” The CRTC, in paragraph 19 of the Information Bulletin, says that it may “initiate an on-site inspection or independent third-party audit to obtain additional information” – not just in response to an individual complaint, but also based on an observed pattern of complaints.

Should the CRTC determine that an ISP is not in compliance with its ITMP policy – set out in 2009 – it will publish the company’s name and the nature of the complaint. In addition, the CRTC will publish quarterly summaries of the number and types of complaints it has received, including the number that have been resolved and those that are still under investigation.

The CRTC does not have the power to fine – or charge “administrative monetary penalties (AMPs)” – for violations, so it is largely left to rely on pressure by negative public relations. But it can back up its order by registering it with the Federal Court, including the ability to reimburse the client, under Section 51 of the Telecom Act.

Section 51 is worded in a way that can cause you to pause with wonder at the powers of the Commission:

The Commission may order a person, at or within any time and subject to any conditions that it determines, to do anything the person is required to do under this Act or any special Act, and may forbid a person to do anything that the person is prohibited from doing under this Act or any special Act.

Ignoring an order from the commission, once registered with the court, is contempt. In other words, don’t expect service providers to take a Commission order lightly. And don’t expect service providers to look forward to the prospect of independent auditors wandering through their networks.

A technology trends study was released yesterday by the Media Technology Monitor that found usage and buying habits range significantly across the country.

Vancouverites are the most likely to use the Internet at home, Toronto has the most gadget users, and East Coasters are the least likely to have a house full of tech toys

While disposable income levels certainly play a role in regional disparity, other demographic factors, such as age might also be correlations worth examining.

About 91 per cent of Vancouver residents over 18 have Internet access at home, compared to the national average of 85 per cent among anglophones, and 80 per cent of francophones living in Quebec. Those least likely to have Internet access at home were francophones living outside Quebec, with only 71 per cent connected. They also had the highest usage of old-fashioned dial-up access.

What factors can be stimulated to increase technology adoption in below-average segments?