CRTC internet ruling may boost prices in Canada

Internet prices may go up. Now's the time to be looking at ways to:

  a) Reduce your bandwidth use;
  b) Generate additional revenue from add-on services

Imagine a revenue-generating add-on service that also reduces your bandwidth usage.

Internet users may pay more in the future as a result of the CRTC's latest ruling on internet billing, independent internet providers say.

"This will not result in lower costs for Canadian consumers," said Tom Copeland, chair of the Canadian Association of Internet Providers, said a day after Tuesday's release of the decision by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

Under the new pricing scheme, "ISPs will incur higher costs as consumers use more bandwidth," Copeland said.

"Average cost per customer goes up and therefore the retail price may also go up unless other economies of scale can be found or other add-on services allow ISPs to generate additional revenue and profit."

CRTC internet ruling may boost prices - Arts & Entertainment - CBC News