🚀 go-pugleaf

Things can sure change in a day ...

There are more than 50 positings on can.infohighway speaking out agaisnt the 
recent policy change of Bell Canada.

The bottom line is that if Bell Canada's policy is not over turned you will be 
seeing cost increases in Internet access of 30 % or more.  There will be less 
local service providers - only large companies with "deep pockets" can afford 
to enter this type of business.  It is not because ISP is affraid of 
competition - the problem is that Bell Canada is a monoply that controls the 
infrastructure = they can set the rate as high as they like and ISP have no 
alternatives but to pay ... 

I think this issue has a tremendous impact on the future of the Internet 
community in Canada.  Please contact Bell, CRTC and your member of parliament 
on this issue. 

The following is the latest information I have picked up on the NET : 

Globe and Mail recently reported:

BELL "HAS RIGHT" TO HIKE INTERNET RATES
Canada's federal telecommunications regulator says Bell Canada has every
right to unilaterally boost what it charges Internet service providers, even
though charges are at premium levels and are covered by contracts with
companies, some as long as five years.   Internet Direct estimates its
monthly phone bill will jump to $37,000 from $14,000.  (Toronto Financial
Post 10 Nov 95 p5)  About 150 Internet access providers from across Canada
will petition to block the hike.  (Toronto Globe & Mail 10 Nov 95 B2) While
some Internet service providers are threatening legal action, others say the
increase levels the playing field and add that the recent entry of Bell and
Rogers Communications as Internet service providers adds legitimacy to the
chaotic, anarchistic world of Internet services. (Toronto Globe & Mail 11
Nov 95 B1)

Passport Online, Internet Direct/Compulink, and Interlog are forming RISC
which is the associtation of 'Responsible Internet Service Companies

If you have any information, comments or sugestions, send them over my way ... 


Later,

Chung Ming Tam