Bell Backs Down on Usage-Based Internet Billing

At the end of January I talked about the "Stop the Meter" campaign to get the big Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and the CRTC to back away from usage-based Internet billing.   At issue was the fact that smaller independent ISPs, who are simply resellers of Internet access from the larger providers (Bell, etc), would be forced to stop offering unlimited Internet access plans.  This would reduce choices for consumers and, in time, likely lead to increased costs.

The federal government jumped on the bandwagon quickly and forced the CRTC to reverse its decision and now Bell, on Monday, announced that it was backing away as well.   See the article in the link below.

The key points?  First, for those of you who signed the petition, congratulations because your voices were heard.   Second, it's another example of how the Internet can provide a mechanism for people to be heard and be heard very quickly.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/03/28/bell-usage-based-billing.html?ref=rss