Internet Serice Providers (ISPs, e.g., Bell, Rogers) claim that they need to reduce internet traffic to particular sites because they do not have the bandwidth to support data intensive activities (e.g., Bit Torrent, Skype). They want the CRTC to provide them with the legal right to throttle traffic.
There are several problems with this.
1) ISPs have only just recently released limited information relating to their traffic. The rate of growth in traffic has been declining for many ISPs in recent years suggesting the problem of bandwidth overload is not a serious as initially claimed.
2) This information does not tell us what their overall capacity really is (Note: much of that capacity was built with the help of government money). How much Dark Fibre exists? Dark Fibre is unused communications fibre that was abandoned when new information packaging technology allowed more information to be carried by less fibre?
3) Several ISPs plan to launch new commercial media downloading services (e.g., movies). This is a conflict of interest. Throttling reduces access to competition.
4) ISPs have also expressed interest in creating new two-tiered internet access fees. The claim that overloaded bandwidth exists is used to support their desire to launch new lucrative business products. But is the foundational claim true?
Until the ISPs provide the CRTC will complete information about their traffic rates and total capacity, the CTRC should not permit throttling. Unfortunately an earlier ruling by the CRTC will allow ISPs to continue to do this for the time being.
Are you being throttled? Google has recently teamed with M-Lab to allow you to see if your ISP is throttling your connection. Click here.
None of this is good for the future of the internet.
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