CANADA CAPS INTERNET USAGE AT 25GIGS/MONTH

[82_28]

Well if we're to believe that so much nefarious data transferring between the ubiquitous terrorist amidst us is as serious as the corporate fascist state makes it out to be, won't these caps on data seriously hinder the security of the state? Won't the wily terrorists now be forced to communicate and disseminate data now by other means lest there be some kind of an error in billing?

It's March 22nd and I've been holed up in my spider hole with a rape room down the hall and my task up to now has been to transmit high-res photos of a federal building several times a day to the shadowy network I am working for. Except, FUCK! I spent March 15 through the 20th watching each and every episode of Jersey Shore in my grinding boredom. I've been capped!

Granted. Stupid analogy!

But wait! If we all are indeed terrorists in need of surveillance, won't pricing the populace out of potential data harvesting really cut into the good work the government does to keep us safe? Jeez, I'm a law abiding father and have nothing to hide, but even I can't afford the extra charges with me, my kids, wife and unemployed brother all using the same Internet connection! So I am forced to have the household go "data dark" for sometimes the last week of the month until the new billing and data cycle begins.

Would this not create a "data hole"? A lack of activity on your account would signal some kind of algorithm no, potentially flagging you? If you're unable to communicate or transmit data on an algorithmically predictable basis, does this not also cut into the SCAM of having to collect personal data on anybody (and everybody) at all? It's like scaring away your poker opponents with huge bets each and every card until they finally figure you out.

The companies are counting on data/social-net addiction (the kids will pay it no matter the cost) and the government is counting on fear. The government is the company, the bold aegis of Freedom and Commerce Protectors and what meager speculation I have written here, in all actuality in their capricious game, is intrinsically illegal and/or could be used against me at some future point because I like so many others see they are full of shit and am willing to say so.

[Gnomad]

I think it is only the major media producers that want to see those caps, so people don't download the movies for free from that goddamn Piratebay.

[JackRiddler]

I think it is only the major media producers that want to see those caps, so people don't download the movies for free from that goddamn Piratebay.

Well, the producers still wouldn't get the cash, people would be paying the cable/internet providers for the bandwidth to download bootlegs off Piraebay, it would still be cheaper...

Ah, NBC/Universal-Comcast merger. Right. There's the model. We're still not at a full media monopoly. That would see horizontal mergers like that, bringing together the major software, Internet content with Internet provider, telephony, and cable TV with the six conventionally understood media giants. They'll combine interests until a group like Google no longer has a conflict with the ISPs, or AT&T buys Netflix, and then we're fucked.

.

[hanshan]

I think it is only the major media producers that want to see those caps, so people don't download the movies for free from that goddamn Piratebay.

Well, the producers still wouldn't get the cash, people would be paying the cable/internet providers for the bandwidth to download bootlegs off Piraebay, it would still be cheaper...

Ah, NBC/Universal-Comcast merger. Right. There's the model. We're still not at a full media monopoly. That would see horizontal mergers like that, bringing together the major software, Internet content with Internet provider, telephony, and cable TV with the six conventionally understood media giants. They'll combine interests until a group like Google no longer has a conflict with the ISPs, or AT&T buys Netflix, and then we're fucked..

Yeah that may be the name of the game for the plebes.

Here's the NYT story 'bout the Comcast/NBCU merger jack cites:

Comcast Receives Approval for NBC Universal Merger

By TIM ARANGO and BRIAN STELTER
Published: January 19, 2011


Comcast received government approval Tuesday to acquire NBC Universal, emerging from a lengthy review with a list of conditions, the most important aimed at preventing the new media conglomerate from thwarting competition in online video.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/19/business/media/19comcast.html


No matter how you slice & dice this, it's bad news.


...

[matrixdutch]

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/201101 ... dels.shtml

Metered Bandwidth Isn't About Stopping The Bandwidth Hogs; It's About Preserving Old Media Business Models

For years, we've spoken about why metered broadband stifles innovation, by adding serious additional mental transaction costs and limits to anything you do online. If you look at the history of various online services, you know that AOL didn't really catch on until it went to a flat-rate plan from an older metered (by time) plan. It makes a huge difference in how people use the internet, and putting gates and fences around them doesn't just keep the bandwidth down, but it limits all sorts of innovative services that rely on the fact that end users have no limits on their bandwidth. In the end, metered broadband always appears to be a way for ISPs to squeeze more and more money out of people.

However, as Canadian regulators seem prepared to let Bell Canada force all DSL providers into offering metered broadband, some are pointing out another reason for metered broadband. Not only does it stifle basic innovation, but it also protects the legacy media/entertainment industry and their business models. If downloading becomes more "expensive," then, in theory, fewer people will use services that require higher bandwidth. And this isn't just file sharing services either, but things like Netflix, which many studios still wish to limit and control when it comes to its online streaming plans. None of this is about "bandwidth hogs," at all. It's all about putting up barriers to anything that might be disruptive to legacy industries.

[Fresno_Layshaft]

Looks like the gubmint might step in here.

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2011/02/01/internet-usage-based-billing-clement.html

I ain't holding my breath, but this is a positive development.

[matrixdutch]

[Canadian_watcher]

the CRTC is a joke. In addition to the new fees, they also propose lowering their standards for what is considered to be "false news"

CRTC Proposes to Change Standard for Broadcasting False or Misleading News
Wednesday January 12, 2011
The CRTC last week quietly proposed a significant change to the rules on false or misleading news broadcasts on radio or television. The law currently provides that a broadcast licensee "shall not broadcast any false or misleading news." The CRTC is proposing to amend the law with respect to television and radio by lowering the standard to "any news that the licensee knows is false or misleading and that endangers or is likely to endanger the lives, health or safety of the public." In other words, it would perfectly permissible for a broadcaster to air false or misleading news, provided that it not endanger the lives, health or safety of the public.

If enacted, the changes would move the Canadian broadcast framework closer to that found in the U.S. The Federal Communications Commission has a limited rule against broadcast hoaxes that provides:

No licensee or permittee of any broadcast station shall broadcast false information concerning a crime or a catastrophe if:

(a) The licensee knows this information is false;
(b) It is forseeable that broadcast of the information will cause substantial public harm, and
(c) Broadcast of the information does in fact directly cause substantial public harm.

Any programming accompanied by a disclaimer will be presumed not to pose foreseeable harm if the disclaimer clearly characterizes the program as a fiction and is presented in a way that is reasonable under the circumstances.

The move toward U.S.-style regulation comes as there is mounting debate in that country over the tone and rhetoric of broadcasting from across the political spectrum. The proposed CRTC changes are currently open for comment until February 9, 2011. It plans for the new rules to take effect on September 1, 2011.

http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/5570/125/

[matrixdutch]

[Jeff]

We'll see...

Ottawa to reverse CRTC decision on Internet billing

OTTAWA—The CRTC’s controversial decision to substantially increase Internet costs to Canadians will be reversed, the Toronto Star has learned.

“The CRTC should be under no illusion — the Prime Minister and minister of Industry will reverse this decision unless the CRTC does it itself,” a senior Conservative government official said Wednesday.

“If they don’t reconsider we will reverse their decision.”

The promise to reverse the ruling comes as CRTC Chair Konrad von Finckenstein is scheduled to explain the decision Thursday before the House of Commons industry committee.

While the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is an independent agency, its decision can be overturned by cabinet. The Star was told that could happen as early as next week.

The CRTC decision has sparked outrage across the country with Canadians rushing to sign petitions asking the Conservative government to reverse it. Industry Minister Tony Clement has received tens of thousands of emails requesting that it be struck down.

“Frankly, a decision like this is clearly not in the best interest of consumers,” the senior official said.

“This is a bread-and-butter issue.”

...

[Canadian_watcher]

I'm so glad to see that Harper rode in on his white horse and saved us all!

I am happy, really, but wonder what kind of game playing is really going on here. Hopefully it was just a scripted opportunity for the Conservatives to come out looking like the people's party. (well actually, truly hopefully it means that the Conservatives are the people's party but that's just too much to ask.)

there are probably lots of cushy retirements about to happen. and I suppose the telecons will just let the infrastructure start to degrade until they have a ready-made reason to charge exorbitant fees in order to replace aging intertube parts.