The CRTC issued a call for public input on Canadian telecom services on July 22, 2010. Details of the undertaking and how the public can participate are available on the CRTC website at www.obligationtoserve.publivate.ca
This consultation will last four weeks, from July 13 until August 10th, 2010.When the consultation is closed, all comments will appear on the CRTC’s website.
The CRTC is asking five base questions:
1. What services should be included as part of your basic telephone services today?
2. In the context of (universal basic wireline telephone access) , what role, if any, should the CRTC play in ensuring that all Canadians have access to broadband Internet service?
3. Do you think that cell phone service can be a substitute for traditional home phone landline service? Explain why or why not.
4. Do you think that wireless services (e.g. WiFi, 3G networks or satellite) can be substitutes for landline services to connect to the Internet? Explain why or why not.
5. For what activities do you use or expect to use your Internet service?
This is your chance to make your views known to the CRTC. You can be sure the industry based special interest groups will be.
Thanks for pointing me in this direction Wilf :)
ReplyDeleteI will answer the above questions to the best as I can describe them.
The CRTC is asking five base questions:
1. What services should be included as part of your basic telephone services today?
A: As far as only telephone, I think I use a really good plan and there are more than one phone companies that serve this area as far as phone service. If possible, a hardwired ADSL connection would far surpass any type of WiFi or 3G, since those types of connections depend on the actual weather. Not fun having to time my activities according to the weather.
2. In the context of (universal basic wireline telephone access) , what role, if any, should the CRTC play in ensuring that all Canadians have access to broadband Internet service?
A: Having HARDWIRED connection gives for un-interrupted service and is better than using any means of service that isn't hardwired such as WiFi, 3G and satellite. The CRTC should make it possible for rural citizens and small rural businesses the ability to have un-interrupted internet service.
3. Do you think that cell phone service can be a substitute for traditional home phone landline service? Explain why or why not.
A: I am actually divided on this issue. Landlines do offer better reliability but cellular offers more options such as SMS. As far as telephones go, I think landlines are much better bet.
4. Do you think that wireless services (e.g. WiFi, 3G networks or satellite) can be substitutes for landline services to connect to the Internet? Explain why or why not.
A: No way! WiFi loses it's speed dramatically on a "shared" connection and when the weather isn't ideal, this gives for non-service. As an online business, I rely on consistency of connection. When downloading or uploading a large file, interrupting a connection means I have to start all over again and with files that exceed 1GB, Getting halfway takes a few hours and interruption means wasted bandwidth and my current internet provider isn't what you call generous.
5. For what activities do you use or expect to use your Internet service?
A: I run a small business that is solely online, so I would use it for personal use as well as business. Since I often need to upload large files such as video and audio to my server via FTP, my activities online depend on the internet connection. I currently use satellite which greatly relies on the weather in order to operate without interruptions.
I hope this gives the CRTC a better idea and what can and should be done. In my opinion, the best way to offer citizens, small businesses and larger business top grade service would be to introduce ADSL, which runs on phone lines and would offer much faster and reliable service.
I currently use Barrett Xplornet. It's not bad, if all you do is go online, check your emails, perform basic searches, but isn't what I call desirable for business purposes such as FTP uploads/downloads. I also use software that is resource intensive.
Regards,
J.R. Gagnon