[governance] FW: In historic decision, CRTC rules that all Canadians must have access to reliable, world-class mobile and residential Internet
Arsène Tungali
arsenebaguma at gmail.com
Fri Dec 23 03:01:39 EST 2016
Good news from Canada and India.
Can we consider these countries as examples of how Governments can play a
role in connecting the next billion to the Internet? These types of
initiatives need to be supported by other stakeholder groups to ensure they
are effective and support the SDGs.
Congratulations to OpenMedia for their work behind the scenes.
------------------------
**Arsène Tungali**
Co-Founder & Executive Director, *Rudi international
<http://www.rudiinternational.org>*,
CEO,* Smart Services Sarl <http://www.smart-serv.info>*, *Mabingwa Forum
<http://www.mabingwa-forum.com>*
Tel: +243 993810967
GPG: 523644A0
*Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo*
2015 Mandela Washington Felllow
<http://tungali.blogspot.com/2015/06/selected-for-2015-mandela-washington.html>
(YALI) - ISOC IGF Ambassador
<http://www.internetsociety.org/what-we-do/education-and-leadership-programmes/next-generation-leaders/igf-ambassadors-programme/2015Ambassadors>
<http://www.internetsociety.org/what-we-do/education-and-leadership-programmes/next-generation-leaders/igf-ambassadors-programme/2015Ambassadors>-
Blogger <http://tungali.blogspot.com> - ICANN Fellow
<https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2014-07-18-en>. The HuffingtonPost
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2016-12-23 7:18 GMT+02:00 parminder <parminder at itforchange.net>:
> Interesting, Indian telcom regulator has proposed that rural consumers be
> given free data to the extent of 100 MB every month - -this I think is an
> absolute first anywhere.
>
> See, http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/WhatsNew/
> Documents/Recommendations_19122016.pdf
>
> Unfortunately, the same order greatly dilutes its earlier net neutrality
> ruling banning free basics like services. It still disallows telcos to take
> payment for privileged or free carriage, but allows third party companies
> to develop means whereby "data rewards" can be given for browsing certain
> content, which, in practice means more or less the same thing - big content
> players are able to pay their way to induce consumers to stick to their
> offerings - that, in practice, comes for free - rather than going to the
> competitors.. It would still fundamentally distort the Internet.
>
> parminder
>
> On Friday 23 December 2016 03:16 AM, Michael Gurstein wrote:
>
> *From:* First Mile [mailto:FIRSTMILE at LISTSERV.UNB.CA
> <FIRSTMILE at LISTSERV.UNB.CA>] *On Behalf Of *Josh Tabish
> *Sent:* December 21, 2016 5:29 PM
> *To:* FIRSTMILE at LISTSERV.UNB.CA
> *Subject:* Re: WAHOO! CRTC establishes fund to attain new high-speed
> Internet targets
>
>
>
> Hi all,
>
>
>
> This is indeed extremely important and historic.
>
>
>
> Please see our press release below, which went out about an hour ago. And
> be sure to spread the good word on Facebook
> <https://www.facebook.com/openmediaorg/photos/a.10150091346724759.281668.173437729758/10154928037764759/?type=3&theater>
> and Twitter <https://twitter.com/OpenMediaOrg/status/811680310794461184>.
>
>
>
> For Immediate Release
>
>
>
> *In historic decision, CRTC rules that all Canadians must have access to
> reliable, world-class mobile and residential Internet*
>
> *Today’s CRTC decision is a game-changer for rural Canadians. Trudeau
> government must step up and help turn this exciting vision into reality*
>
>
>
> *December 21, 2016 – *The Canadian Radio-television and
> Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has just ruled
> <http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1172599> that all Canadians must
> have access to reliable, world-class mobile and residential Internet
> services. The decision underpins a call for a new national strategy from
> the CRTC and citizens alike, resulting from the Commission’s *Review of
> Basic Telecommunications Services*
> <http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2015/2015-134.htm> consultation.
>
>
>
> OpenMedia, which led a nearly 50,000-strong citizen movement for Internet
> as a basic service (and facilitated more than 95% of the comments to the
> CRTC proceeding), describes today’s decision as truly historic. The
> ruling will be a game-changer for rural and underserved communities across
> Canada where Internet access is either unavailable or unaffordable, due to
> a digital divide keeping almost one in five Canadians offline
> <http://www.cmcrp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CMCRProjectBSOSubmission-1.pdf>.
>
>
>
>
> “Canadians asked for universal Internet access, support for rural
> communities, world-class speeds, unlimited data options, and minimum
> guarantees for the quality of their Internet. And today, we won it all!”
> said *Josh Tabish*, campaigns director for OpenMedia. “With this ruling,
> the CRTC has finally listened to Canadians and agreed that residential and
> mobile Internet is a basic service required for modern life, as important
> as the telephone.”
>
>
>
> Tabish continued: “For too long, rural and underserved communities all
> across Canada have faced an uphill battle to participate meaningfully in
> our digital economy. Today’s decision will go a long way toward closing
> this digital divide. Now that the CRTC has spoken, we need to hold the
> Trudeau government accountable for ensuring this exciting vision becomes a
> reality.”
>
> *Key points from today’s CRTC decision, and the accompanying national
> broadband strategy:*
>
>
>
> · 100% of Canadians must have access to reliable, world-class
> mobile and fixed Internet services.
>
> · The decision includes: Internet access defined as a basic
> service, access to world-class speeds, options for unlimited data packages,
> and a level playing field for rural and remote Canadians.
>
> · New network speed targets of 50 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps
> upload speed, and the ability to subscribe to fixed Internet package with
> an unlimited data option.
>
> · Canadians from coast to coast to coast must have access to
> high-speed mobile and residential Internet connections. To fund this, the
> CRTC will redistribute hundreds of millions of dollars from
> telecommunications company revenues over the coming years.
>
> · Going forward, rural, remote, and urban communities must be
> able to access Internet speeds five times as fast as the U.S. minimum
> (10/1) and the government will encourage the widest availability of the
> fastest 4G/LTE mobile networks.
>
> · Finally, the CRTC issued a new report
> <http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/publications/reports/rp161221/rp161221.pdf>
> outlining the imperative for a national broadband strategy and what the
> federal government should consider when building it.
>
> Throughout our participation in this proceeding, OpenMedia argued that
> only a properly-funded national strategy can tackle Canada’s digital
> divide. We asked the CRTC to create new rules to ensure all Canadians have
> access to guaranteed minimum service levels on fixed and mobile networks —
> rules that will enable all Canadians to enjoy equal opportunity to
> participate in the social and economic activities afforded by Internet
> access at a fair price.
>
>
>
> Our community-driven submission
> <https://www.scribd.com/document/314045590/OpenMedia-CRTC-BSO-Final-Submission>
> argues that these new rules should not hinder industry, but should instead
> promote investment, competition, and openness.
>
>
>
> Canadians can call on the government to build on the CRTC’s vision to
> create a national broadband strategy at
> <https://act.openmedia.org/broadband-plan>https://act.openmedia.org/
> broadband-plan
>
>
>
> *About OpenMedia*
>
>
>
> OpenMedia works to keep the Internet open, affordable, and
> surveillance-free. We create community-driven campaigns to engage, educate,
> and empower people to safeguard the Internet.
>
>
>
> -30-
>
>
>
> *Contact*
>
>
>
> Katy Anderson
>
> Digital Rights Specialist, OpenMedia
>
> 1 (888) 441-2640 ext. 5 <(888)%20441-2640>
>
> katy at openmedia.org
>
>
>
> On Wed, Dec 21, 2016 at 1:55 PM, Rob McMahon <rdmcmaho at ualberta.ca> wrote:
>
> This is such fantastic news!! Hooray!! Thanks all!
>
>
>
> On Wed, Dec 21, 2016 at 2:54 PM, <heatherehudson at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Terrific! Of course the devil will be in the details, but it looks as if
> the fund will be open to all.
>
> I think we should put out a press release tomorrow.
>
> Many thanks to our participants and supporters!
>
>
>
> Heather
>
> Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
>
> *From: *Brian Beaton
>
> *Sent: *Wednesday, December 21, 2016 13:12
>
> *To: * <FIRSTMILE at LISTSERV.UNB.CA>FIRSTMILE at LISTSERV.UNB.CA
>
> *Reply To: *Brian Beaton
>
> *Subject: *WOW - CRTC establishes fund to attain new high-speed Internet
> targets
>
>
>
> From <http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1172599>
> http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1172599
> CRTC establishes fund to attain new high-speed Internet targets
>
> *Wants Canadians to have access to an unlimited data plan option and
> speeds of at least 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload*
>
> December 21, 2016 – Ottawa-Gatineau – Canadian Radio-television and
> Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
>
> The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
> today declared that broadband access Internet service is now considered a
> basic telecommunications service for all Canadians. The CRTC is also
> setting ambitious new speed targets and creating a new fund that will
> invest up to $750 million over and above existing government programs.
> Broadband and mobile services
>
> Further to its legislative mandate, the CRTC has set the following targets
> for the basic telecommunications services that Canadians need to
> participate in the digital economy:
>
> - speeds of 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download/10 Mbps upload for
> fixed broadband Internet access services.
> - an unlimited data option for fixed broadband access services.
> - the latest mobile wireless technology available not only in homes
> and businesses, but also along major Canadian roads.
>
> New funding for broadband projects
>
> The CRTC is establishing a fund
> <http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1172419> to support projects in
> areas that do not meet these targets. Applicants will be able to submit
> funding proposals in order to build or upgrade infrastructure for fixed and
> mobile broadband Internet access services. The fund will:
>
> - make available up to $750 million over the first five years;
> - be complementary to existing and future private investment and
> public funding;
> - focus on underserved areas; and
> - be managed at arm’s length by a third party.
>
> Accessibility and tools for consumers
>
> The CRTC wants Canadians to have access to the tools and services they
> need to empower themselves regarding fixed Internet access services. No
> later than six months from today, service providers should ensure that
> contracts are written in clear and plain language, and should make
> available online tools so consumers can easily manage their data usage.
>
> Also, all wireless service providers will have to offer and publicize, no
> later than six months from today, mobile service packages that meet the
> needs of Canadians with disabilities.
> The path forward for Canada’s digital economy
>
> During its consultations with Canadians, the CRTC also identified further
> gaps regarding the adoption of broadband Internet services in Canada that
> are outside its core mandate. Today, the CRTC is submitting a report
> <http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/publications/reports/rp161221/rp161221.htm> to
> the Innovation Agenda, as encouraged by the Minister of Innovation, Science
> and Economic Development Canada, on the availability and adoption of
> broadband Internet services in Canada. This report includes information on
> access gaps resulting from infrastructure, affordability and digital
> literacy issues, as well as barriers to connectivity in Indigenous
> communities.
>
> The decision issued today complements the Government of Canada’s
> Innovation Agenda. Looking ahead, the CRTC will contribute in ways
> appropriate to its mandate. However, all stakeholders have a role to play
> to ensure that broadband Internet service is universally available and
> barriers to adoption are removed.
> Quick Facts
>
> - Broadband Internet access services are necessary to the quality of
> life for Canadians and empowers them as citizens, creators and consumers.
> - While most are well-served, many Canadians, particularly those in
> rural and remote communities, do not have access to broadband Internet
> access services that are comparable to those offered to the vast majority
> of Canadians in terms of speed, capacity, quality and price.
> - Broadband Internet services would allow more Canadian entrepreneurs
> to easily access crucial information relating to international markets and
> create more business opportunities across Canada.
> - In 2015, 82% of Canadians had access to speeds of 50 Mbps
> download/10 Mbps upload for fixed broadband services.
> - The CRTC is shifting its regulatory focus from wireline voice to
> broadband services.
> - Currently there is a subsidy for residential local voice services in
> rural and remote areas that amounted to approximately $100 million in 2016.
> - The current local voice subsidy will now be transitioned to the new
> funding mechanism announced today (for projects that meet the new targets).
> - Further to a broad consultation, more than 50,000 Canadians provided
> their views on the telecommunications services they need to participate in
> the digital economy.
>
> Quote
>
> “Access to broadband Internet service is vital and a basic
> telecommunication service all Canadians are entitled to receive. Canadians
> who participated during our process told us that no matter where they live
> or work in our vast country — whether in a small town in northern Yukon, a
> rural area of eastern Quebec or in downtown Calgary — everyone needs access
> to high-quality fixed Internet and mobile services. We are doing our part
> to bring broadband services to rural and remote communities.
>
> The availability of broadband Internet, however, is an issue that can’t be
> solved by the CRTC alone. All players in the Canadian communications
> landscape will need to do their part to ensure Canadians have access to the
> services they need to participate in the digital economy.
>
> All levels of government must address gaps in digital literacy.
> Affordability concerns are best addressed by the emergence of a dynamic
> market place where service providers compete on price for telecommunication
> services, in conjunction with social responsibility programs of
> telecommunications carriers and different levels of government.
>
> High quality and reliable digital connectivity is essential for the
> quality of life of Canadians and Canada’s economic prosperity.”
>
> - Jean-Pierre Blais, Chairman and CEO, CRTC
>
> Additional links
>
> - Backgrounder 1 – Summary of key decision points
> <http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1172409>
> - Backgrounder 2 – Further details regarding new funding mechanism
> <http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1172419>
> - Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2016-496 – Modern telecommunications
> services – The path forward for Canada’s digital economy
> <http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2016/2016-496.htm>
> - Basic telecommunications services
> <http://crtc.gc.ca/eng/internet/internet.htm>
>
> - 30 -
> Contacts
>
> Media Relations
> (819) 997-9403
>
> General Inquiries
> (819) 997-0313
> Toll-free: 1 (877) 249-CRTC (2782)
> TTY: (819) 994-0423
> Ask a question or make a complaint
> <http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/question.htm>
>
> Stay Connected
> Follow us on Twitter @CRTCeng <https://twitter.com/CRTCeng>
> Like us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/crtceng>www.facebook.com/
> crtceng
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> Assistant Professor
>
> University of Alberta
>
> Faculty of Extension
> Phone: 780-248-1110 <%28780%29%20248-1110>
> Email: rob.mcmahon at ualberta.ca
> http://firstmile.ca
>
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> *Josh Tabish*
> Campaigns Director, OpenMedia
> 778-990-1218
> http://openmedia.org
> josh at openmedia.org
>
>
>
> Follow me on Twitter <http://www.twitter.com/jdtabish>
>
> Friend me on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/josh.tabish>
>
>
>
> PGP: F26C CF9F 8037 0C09 AD7D E147 45B4 2FCF F2FB 862F
>
>
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