Canada puts America to shame AGAIN. Canada’s CRTC protects consumers while the FCC’s Ajit Pai and Trump sells out Americans to the telecom industry; AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and Comcast. It doesn’t end there. Get ready for more expensive data plans.
In a victory for net neutrality, Canada's telecom regulator has ruled against a carrier offering 'free' music streaming as part of a zero-rating scheme. Quebecor's 'Unlimited Music' allows premium Videotron subscribers to use select streaming apps, such as Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal, without the data counting towards their monthly allowance. Many believe this type of scheme violates the principles of net neutrality, which argue all data should be treated equally. If certain apps are 'free' to use, others -- which could offer a superior experience, but simply don't have the cash to be involved in a carrier's program -- are put at an unfair disadvantage.
The stance is in direct opposition to the US. Ajit Pai, the new chairman of the FCC, called net neutrality a "mistake" at Mobile World Congress in February, preferring a "light touch" to internet regulation instead. Subsequent reports by Reuters and the Wall Street Journal have hinted at a soon-to-be-announced rollback of net neutrality rules created under the Obama administration. The reversal will likely strip the FCC of its powers over internet service providers and transfer them across to the FTC. Canada, it seems, is keen to strike a different regulatory path.
