Anybody else upset about Usage Based Billing coming to Shaw Feb 1st

[Andre]

I don't know if this will effect all the smaller ISP's. Those that have there own dslams like Vianet has in Sudbury and I think Northbay may be able to get around it.
If they can, it might be a good idea for them to put one in here.

[V Code]

where is the information on the shaw website concerning this? i am unable to find it. I have been able to find the broadband reports information, but last i checked they are not shaw.

[Gimic]

I know its coming to Teksavvy. 25GB cap which I think is ridiculous.
http://www.dslreports.com/r0/downloa...tice-5Mbps.pdf

I wasn't aware it was coming to Shaw though, this would be good to know since I might have to end up moving to Shaw anyways. I no longer live in the Sault, but still its good to know as Shaw is one of the other choices around here besides Bell.

[Koss]

I just posted on their facebook page, and had a good talk with an online customer care person.

I clearly told them it makes no sense for me to stick with their internet service if they are going to enforce these charges, as my average data traffic is 300-500 GB/month.

With Shaw I would have to purchase 2 times 250 GB, which would add 100$ to my bill.
I looked at their competition, and they charge 5$/40 GB over their data plan.
The competition would charge me 60$ extra for the same data.

A closer look would reveal the following price :

Shaw : 57$/month + 100$/month to cover my data traffic = 157$/month + tax

Bell : 31.95/month + 60$/month to cover my data traffic = 91.95$/month + tax

I thought I would never say this, but Bell looks good to me right now.

Bell just announced the cap would be 25GB! fro DSL in Ontario and 60GB in Quebec per month. $2/GB after that.

Shaw is $67 mo for 100GB + 1GB thereafter, or buy a monthly insurance plan for $60/mo for an additional 250GB per month. Best deal in Canada but still BS. What they just did was replace the $'s what I was paying for cable.

[Upper Decker]

http://openmedia.ca/aggregator/sources/33

Read this site thoroughly. This affects any and all ISPs in Canada, including the small mom and pop places running off thier networks.

[Andre]

I know its coming to Teksavvy. 25GB cap which I think is ridiculous.

If you pay the $4.75 for the extra 40gig it's still about $10/month cheaper than shaw stand alone.

[Hans]

If I am not mistaken Bell charges 5$/40 GB. Shaw charges 50$/250 GB.
For 50$ you can get 400 GB at Bell, and 250 GB at Shaw.
If they ever charge me I know I will be switching the next day.

[Andre]

Look into it a little more Hans. I think Bell only allows you to buy up to 3 40GB blocks for a total of 165GB @$15 extra.
After that it is $2/GB max. $60 for up to 300GB, $1.00/GB thereafter. That's for the Fibe 6 plan. As far as I know Fibe 12 is not available here.

[Hans]

That will kill DSL, would it not? I have no idea why the CRTC would even get involved in this. It's crazy.

[Koss]

I imagine that the CRTC is looking at the 'big picture' of protecting Canadian Content, which is their mandate. If the CRTC can get Canadians back in front of the TV, then they can regulate how much Canadian content must be shown and viewed, thus achieving their goal. If they let the new internet blossom and Canadians embrace choosing what content they watch, and when, then the CRTC is no longer relevant. It's about control, protection and profit.

[Hans]

Interesting to see Shaw updated all their web pages.
Who controls the CRTC? Like, who's in charge of it?

[Andre]

I believe crtc falls under the Heritage minister James Moore and Tony Clement, Minister of Industry.

[Upper Decker]

Techsavvy is the first to get nailed in this.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/n...et-billing.ars

[Andre]

No they are not. It applies to all dsl provider at the same time.

[iluvchristian]

So what about the people who have the vianet phone? I have no idea how much I use with it!

[SmrtGrl]

I use distributel for my ISP...I'm stuck with dial up where i live so it doesn't really matter to me. I took a visit to their website and they're offering unlimited downloads, however subject to change with notice....might be something to look at though in contrast to bell or shaw.... http://www.distributel.ca/en-ON/resi...net/high-speed

[Hans]

I am assuming they are a reseller, and as such they will be subject to the same charges and the same data cap. There's no escape from this, as all major players are hurdling together to ensure these data plans are going to become reality.

[Andre]

That's another thing that gets me. Companies like Vianet and Teksavvy are not re-sellers. They don't resell Bell's Sympatico or whatever. They have there own equipment and buy there bits or bandwidth from the same companies that Bell and Shaw do. Companies such as Cogent, Peer1 etc. They buy their own bandwidth and process it through their own equipment and it only transmitted through the last mile to your home over Bell telephone line which the government says they have to because tax payers dollars helped pay for it.

[Hans]

Yes, helped does not mean help. That's already paid for so why keep charging money over and over for it.
It's again something the CRTC should stay out.

[Andre]

the government still subsidizes bell to increase expansion of their network