Tory MP says CRTC directives don’t go far enough when it comes to transparent service quality metrics

A Conservative MP told the Industry Committee that the CRTCs' new policy direction does not go far enough when it comes to transparency regarding the typical upload and download speeds consumers can expect from their carriers. Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa MP Dan Mazier appeared before the Industry Committee Monday afternoon to address his bill, C-288. The bill passed its first reading in June and the second reading in November with unanimous support. According to Mazier, the bill will force carriers to provide consumers with accurate speeds rather than “best-case scenario,” “up-to,” or “theoretical” speeds. “People can't believe that this is actually legal in Canada – that they can actually sell you a service in theory. Where else in the world would you buy this kind of service? Can you imagine going up to a gas station and saying ‘I'm going to get up to 50 liters,’ and then you only end up with 35 litres,” he said. Bill C-288 stipulates that Canadian carriers who offer and provide fixed broadband services must provide consumers with information regarding the service quality metrics during peak periods, typical download and upload speeds during peak periods, and any other information required by the CRTC that is in the public’s interest. Since then Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne issued a new policy directive to the CRTC which states that the commission must enhance the rights of consumers and their access to information, to speed up the deployment of high-quality broadband networks, promote lower prices, better services, and implement broadband performance testing requirements. “But it doesn’t go far enough… There is no mention of typical download and upload speeds. That is a huge issue,” Mazier said. “Unfortunately this government chose to go down the policy directive type of way. Industry did not step up and say there was a problem here. And so here we are – back here introducing legislation. I do honestly believe that legislation is the way to go.” Mazier argued his bill will be flexible in a rapidly changing industry, noting that the CRTC, under the bill, must hold public hearings to determine the way this information is to be measured and shared and whether any carriers should be excluded. Mazier said a lot of smaller service providers applauded his bill because it would prevent the incumbents from engaging in what they claim is “false advertising.” “So it does actually level the playing field for not only the consumer but also the industry as well,” he said. -Reporting by Jenna Cocullo at jcocullo@thewirereport.ca and editing by Michael Lee-Murphy at mleemurphy@thewirereport.ca

Tory MP says CRTC directives don’t go far enough when it comes to transparent service quality metrics

News | March 6, 2023

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Tory MP says CRTC directives don’t go far enough when it comes to transparent service quality metrics

News | March 6, 2023

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