Damn CRTC and Bell/Teksavvy

[yearoftherat]

Seems that the CRTC is going after Bell now.
I've been with Teksavvy for almost 2 yrs since Roger is brutal.
Send the CRTC your comments...


Dear Valued Customer,

We are writing to you today as many activities are underway to shape/reshape
Internet use as you all know it. Over the last year some of you have been
made aware and/or have seen activities on throttling in the news or in your
daily lives. Another proceeding relating to the Internet in Canada required
Telecom providers (Bell/Telus/etc.) to provide ISPs with wholesale service
speeds that match those that they offer to their own retail customers.
Specifically, Bell has been directed by the CRTC to provide matching speeds
which would allow us all to have more flexibility in our day to day online
requirements. Instead of adhering to these directives, Bell decided to take
this issue to the federal Cabinet and at the same time file a tariff
application with the CRTC proposing to introduce Usage Based Billing (UBB)
on its wholesale customer accounts.

What does this mean for you, the consumer?

Bell provides TekSavvy with last mile, wholesale DSL access services, which
TekSavvy uses to provide you with your Internet access. If Bell were to be
allowed to introduce UBB on this service, a cap of 60GB would be imposed on
all of its users, with very heavy penalties per Gigabyte afterwards
(multiple times more than our current per Gigabyte rate of $0.25/GB on
overages). This would inherently all but remove Unlimited internet services
in Ontario/Quebec and potentially cause large increases in internet costs
from month to month.

If you'd like to make your comments/concerns known about what Bell is
attempting to do, please do so here:

http://support.crtc.gc.ca/crtcsubmissionmu/forms/Telecom.aspx?lang=e

Select the word "Tariff" from the drop down list.

Add the following in Subject Line "File Number # 8740-B2-200904989 - Bell
Canada - TN 7181" and make your thoughts known!

The deadline for filing your comments is today at midnight, so hurry!

Regards,

Rocky


Rocky Gaudrault
Chief Executive Officer
TekSavvy Solutions Inc.
330 Richmond Street, Suite 205
Chatham, ON, N7M 1P7
Customer Service: 877-779-1575
URL: www.teksavvy.com

[SilentJay]

I sent my thoughts - Get behind this guys!

[vanpatrick81]

I for one hate this too but please change your title. It's not Teksavvy that is doing this but Bell. Teksavvy just got caught in the middle. Pretty much all companies that buys wholesale from Bell gets affected with this.

Greedy Bell! Down with Bell!

[Walrus]

I don't wanna have to switch again... what will the options be?

[chinsterr]

http://acanac.ca/google-promo.htm?gc...FQVfFQodjW7kSg
100 Gigs of Online Storage
12 month contract that you pay up front <$228 for the year
30 day money back policy if you don't like their services
<$34 (taxes in) a month after the one year deal is done
Unlimited downloads, No Capping

Don't know the expiry on this deal (NOTE: Looks like it ends January 31). So hurry up and get it. Worst case utilize their 30 day money back policy. Promo only available in Ontario and Quebec.


Here's a review of their services (82% approval rating);
http://www.dslreports.com/comments/2744



From redflagdeals

[slam525i]

Chinsterr, There's not point switching ISPs. In the end, they all buy the "last mile" service from Bell. They basically have a monopoly on it. The only real competition is Rogers, and let's face it, they both suck.

It's like the electrical system. Even if you buy your power from an another company, they still get you on the transmission charges.

If Bell is successful in this, we are all basically screwed. The small ISPs might as well pack up shop and close down since it'll no longer become profitable.

[chinsterr]

Chinsterr, There's not point switching ISPs. In the end, they all buy the "last mile" service from Bell. They basically have a monopoly on it. The only real competition is Rogers, and let's face it, they both suck.



For some reason I thought acanac was a cable internet provider. My mistake.

Usage billing is ridiculous !

[SilentJay]

Unfortunately, you can't fight ILECs... They have consumers by the nads, and they're greasing some government wheels with "political contributions" and back-room kickbacks.

The only route beyond them, is to get satelite ISP like out in the boonies. Slightly faster than dial-up, with a cable-modem interface. Ooorrr.... Get a dedicated line out to your house via MTS or something, and be your neighbourhood's ISP :P

[JMAK74]

For some reason I thought acanac was a cable internet provider. My mistake.

Usage billing is ridiculous !

Why is usage billing ridiculous? If you're saying that in terms of the additional charge an ISP will bill you per GB after one has exceed your monthly limit, effectively you're saying that high usage customers should be subsidized by lower usage customers who both pay the same monthly rate. That doesn't make sense to me.

Usage billing isn't the issue - it's the fact that the major telecom's that control the last mile, are effectively forcing back their/a monopoly by making it so cost ineffective (by making it so expensive for wholesalers to buy bandwidth) for competition to take place such that the consumer (us) will go to them, because they'll always be 'cheaper'.

[Anrky]

Choosing between Bell and Rogers is like picking between two puddles of vomit to lick...

[ieatkittens]

Why is usage billing ridiculous? If you're saying that in terms of the additional charge an ISP will bill you per GB after one has exceed your monthly limit, effectively you're saying that high usage customers should be subsidized by lower usage customers who both pay the same monthly rate. That doesn't make sense to me.

Usage billing isn't the issue - it's the fact that the major telecom's that control the last mile, are effectively forcing back their/a monopoly by making it so cost ineffective (by making it so expensive for wholesalers to buy bandwidth) for competition to take place such that the consumer (us) will go to them, because they'll always be 'cheaper'.

+1. This is an anti-competition thing, and if the CRTC lets it go (I definitely DID send them an email), I for one am going to be livid!

[CanadaGTO]

Here's why I don't like it.

It's not that they are trying to protect their networks, there is plenty of under utilized fibre out there, it's because their core businesses are under threat. With services like Hulu and Netflix on demand in the US (not here, but it's only a matter of time either these services or others like them are) cable providers and Satellite providers (Bell) feel they are under threat. Bell and Rogers offer some form of home phone service, which is threatened by VoIP.

That is what they are trying to eliminate. Their backend systems are fine, trust me on that one, I've dealt with both Bell and Rogers network people and that is not a concern.

[Trinidad]

I also think this is very unfair, I used to be with Teksavvy and I loved the service, however when I saw the throttling also affect Teksavvy's services I made the swtich over to Primus. Since they are not relying on Bell for providing internet it has not affected me and I find the service excellent. However for every good review for Primus there many bad ones as well. Anyways I hope the consumer can fight yet another bad and unfair move by Bell.

[slam525i]

How is Primus not affected? Aren't they DSL like everyone else?

[SilentJay]

I'm not entirely sure, but some building projects have agreements with service providers to be the exclusive service providers, in exchange for wiring up the building. I believe Telus, Shaw, and some other Telcos have done this.

[Trinidad]

If I remember correctly Primus is using it's own DLSAM for it's DSL internet. Since they are not using Bell's DLSAM's they are not affected.

[Trinidad]

Oh one other thing, I am on the Triple Value Bundle and I know they use their own DLSAM for anyone on that package. Can't confirm for any of their other services though.

[JMAK74]

I'm not entirely sure, but some building projects have agreements with service providers to be the exclusive service providers, in exchange for wiring up the building. I believe Telus, Shaw, and some other Telcos have done this.

I know that in the Tribute development I'm in, in Ajax, Rogers provided, depending when you bought your new house from them, Rogers Cable TV (all channels pretty much) and some internet free for one year after you take possession of the new house. However they (Rogers) will not remind you when that ends and will start billing you at full rate if you forget to cancel the service. Me and Mrs. JMAK74 missed out on this as we are the second home owners, however you could see all the Roger's cabling downstairs.

On a slightly off note to the topic - two months after buying the place a rep from Rogers comes by to the door. Attitude is piss poor (in the sense of being a bit too cocky) - after going through telephone and then cable TV, he asks me - what internet provider are we with, as seeing we aren't with them. I tell him if I'm not with you, who do you think I'm with? He responds (and it was the way he said it) "So how's that workin' for ya?" I looked right at him and said politely, "None of your farkin' business." and closed the door.


Oh one other thing, I am on the Triple Value Bundle and I know they use their own DLSAM for anyone on that package. Can't confirm for any of their other services though.

Bear with me - perhaps my lack of understanding all the facets of DSL bandwidth transmission may be confusing me - Using their own DLSAM would be moot, unless they're laying their own cable :chuckle directly to your house. If their signal is coming in via either the phone line (owned by Bell) or cable (owned by Rogers), the provider your using would (again I stress, I don't know all the facets here, so if I'm wrong, let me know nicely) is still paying one of those guys wholesale rates as that signal as it enters the area uses bandwidth in the 'last mile' as it's being described here. If the company you're using is laying their own cable - good for them - but I wouldn't count on them being around for long - the ROI is so long on those types of projects, it's one reason why there will always be a Bell and Rogers.

[Trinidad]

Very true they do utilize Bell's lines, however I'm not sure about how they are billed for transmission I know that the amount of bandwidth I believe is measured on the DLSAM as it handles how that traffic is utilitzed roughly. Anyways here's the wiki on it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSLAM

Again since we are both unsure about the architecture we could be wrong but from what I have read on other forums such as DSL reports etc, that's why Primus is not affected by these changes.

[JMAK74]

Very true they do utilize Bell's lines, however I'm not sure about how they are billed for transmission I know that the amount of bandwidth I believe is measured on the DLSAM as it handles how that traffic is utilitzed roughly. Anyways here's the wiki on it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSLAM

Again since we are both unsure about the architecture we could be wrong but from what I have read on other forums such as DSL reports etc, that's why Primus is not affected by these changes.

Thank you for the info.

I'd think it would be only a matter of time before they caught on to this and somehow figured out a way to bill them - then again perhaps my tin foil hat and conspiracy books are getting to me...

[ZeroChalk]

Somewhat related.. but Teksavvy rocks! I've been using Bell for the last 3-4 years downtown. Only recently have my demands for bandwidth have increased and I have began to monitor my speeds. With Bell I was downloading at 300kb/s on a very good day (usually hovering around 280kb/s). Finally made the switch after complaining "well from I see here, you are set up for the best speed possible" *ahem* Bell.

Now I'm with Teksavvy. I pay ~$30 a month and I get 520kb/s! With Bell I paid $52 bucks for a dismal speed. Can you say "throttle back."

Bell you suck.

[SirWanker]

, With services like Hulu and Netflix on demand in the US (not here, but it's only a matter of time either these services or others like them are)

Try installing Hotspot Shield ( tutorial here: http://patricksoon.blogspot.com/2008/10/how-to-watch-hulu-anywhere-video.html ) and maybe hulu will work