Over at Michael Geist’s blog I found out the Canadian Association of Internet Providers (CAIP) has been given until Monday to respond to Bell Canada’s submission telling the CRTC to go fuck itself. The CAIP has already called for the CRTC to enforce Net Neutrality. Bell is, of course, against anything that denys they alone own, rule and control the net.

After CAIP’s submission the CRTC will make a ruling that could ultimately decide if the internet in Canada remains a place where Free Speech and other Charter Rights are respected. Since the CRTC is going to make their decision soon we need to make our voices heard now.

The group’s submission calls for Bell Canada to cease and desist in shaping or throttling traffic on its network.

CAIP raises a number of concerns with Bell’s traffic-shaping practices. By giving preference to its own customers and providing third-party businesses with limited internet service – contrary to CRTC policies – Bell is trying to limit healthy competition in the market. The CAIP describes the quality of service as “degraded beyond recognition,” with speed reduced in some cases by as much as 90 per cent. In addition, Bell is examining the data packets sent over the Internet to determine who and what gets priority, infringing on consumers’ privacy.

Campaign for Democratic Media National Co-ordinator Steve Anderson is encouraged by the move: “Large telecoms like Bell and Rogers have no right to limit Canadians’ access to the Internet. Their policies are discriminatory and in no way benefit the average consumer. We hope these submissions will spur the CRTC into action and help establish some kind of public accountability. The Internet is an important resource and we all deserve equal access to it.”

From the Campaign for Democratic Media site you can reach an online petition and find out other ways to make your voice heard in support of the CAIP position, in support of Net Neutrality, in support of Free Speech on the internet and against the efforts by Bell, Rogers and the other major media companies who seek to own the internet.

Cheers.