🚀 go-pugleaf

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In the end, regardless of the debate - the main issue still is :  
Is  the Canadian public willing to accept fewer choices and an increase 
Internet access cost?
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More thoughts on the Bell Canada vs. ISP�s  - 

Ian Angus has posted a good summary of the argument at 
	<http://www.angustel.ca/isp-bell.html> 
As I see it, the main point of his paper is:

1- The present tariff system for Centrex III specifies the rate charges so ISP 
needs to change this.
2 - There is no conspiracy - Bell Canada is merely implementing their policy 
as required by law
3 - Traffic volume is not really an issue despite the claims of Bell Canada
4 - Bell Canada has not single out ISP for this cost increase. 

His suggestions are : 
A - Fight to delay cost increase via the CRTC and if possible change the 
tariff rates
B - Recover construction cost vis some legal means
C - Work with Bell Canada

I have some feed back on Ian�s work.  Michael Richardson 
(mcr@latour.sandelman.ocunix.on.ca (Michael Richardson) from Sandelman 
Software Works) did reply to Ian�s posting.  I am going to add my two cents 
worth.

1 - Bell�s rate increases increase both Centrex III lines as well as normal 
business lines.  I like to know the tariff rates for normal business lines 
including provisions concerning computer use.  Michael pointed out that the 
term computer is vague.  This piece of regulation was drafted before the use 
of fax machine,  devices to aid the deaf or  Vista telephones which  have 300 
baud modems in them (ref. Michael Richardson). 

2 - Conspiracy - maybe too strong a word but the bottom line concerns free 
competitive market.  Bell Canada is right now controlling the infrastructure. 
 Their wholly owned but �independent� subsidiary Worldlinx already have some 
short term commitment of Bell Canada resources.  They do not have the same 
time or resource constraints as another independent business.  This is 
especially true if the increase operating cost is paid back to the parent 
company.  (i.e. if you are paying rent to your mother, have you really lose 
money ???)

3 - I definitely agreed on the issue of traffic.  As far as I am concern this 
should only be an issue if Bell incurs additional cost in the operation or 
maintenance of their network due to a connection to an ISP.  As far as I know, 
technically, you cannot monitor traffic usage ...

4 - But Bell has singled out the ISPs - where are the other cost increases in 
other sectors of the high tech. industry.   Is Bell�s decision going to affect 
Compuserve, Prodigy and other large dial-up networks, what about schools, 
universities and BBS.  Until Bell post how this policy affects everyone, I 
will have to maintain that this action is aimed specifically at Canadian 
ISP�s.  Until I can be sure that everyone will be affected equally, I can 
still claim unfair business practises.  In the end, if Bell�s policy is to 
increase the cost of internet access for everyone - fine.  A rather 
self-destructive approach but that will be the decision of the CRTC and Bell 
Canada.

Ian�s response is reasonable and ...
A, B - ISP are being organized, Passport Online, Internet Direct/Compulink, 
and Interlog have formed a loose association of over 80 ISP�s to fight and 
lobby the CRTC.  I urge everyone to find out more about this organization.

C - I, personally, would �love� to work with Bell. Unfortunately, a dialogue 
requires two people and so far Bell aren�t talking ...

Later,

Chung Ming Tam