Consumer
Information | Ongoing Issues |
Internet
Access to high-speed cable by independent Internet Service
Providers
Rates, quality of service and business practices
Illegal actions by Internet Service Providers
Offensive content on the Web
Webcasting
Access to the Internet
Most Canadians have local dial-up access to the Internet available to
them. It is one of the CRTC's objectives for basic telephone service in Canada.
Industry Canada is examining how best to make high-speed broadband
Internet services available to all Canadian communities.
The National Broadband Task Force has
completed its report for submission to the Government of Canada.
Access to high-speed cable by independent Internet Service
Providers
Where major cable companies offer high-speed Internet services, they must give
independent Internet Service Providers access to their facilities. Terms and
rates are set out in Order
2000-789 and Order
2000-789-1 and 2001-92.
Rates, quality of service and business practices
The CRTC does not regulate rates, quality of service issues or business
practices for Internet Service Providers. The market is competitive and consumers
should shop around to find the one that most suits their needs and budget.
Consumers experiencing difficulties should contact their service providers
quickly to resolve the problem.
Industry Canada's
Consumer
Connection website has a section entitled
Complaining Effectively. It gives the steps to follow when filing a complaint
as well as contacts for the organizations, or local, provincial and federal
offices that provide help to consumers.
Illegal actions by Internet Service Providers
Illegal actions fall under the Criminal Code of Canada or other federal
statutes. Consumers concerned about possible illegal actions should contact the
appropriate enforcement authorities.
Offensive content on the Web
The CRTC does not regulate content on the Internet. For content that is
generated in Canada, appropriate tools for dealing with what may be offensive
already exist. These include Canadian laws, industry self-regulation, content
filtering software, and increased media awareness.
The Government of Canada has issued a booklet "Illegal
and Offensive Content on the Internet" to promote safe, wise and responsible
Internet use.
Webcasting
Broadcasters that provide broadcasting services in Canada over the Internet
are not required to hold a licence from the CRTC. The CRTC addressed this issue
when it released its Report on New
Media in May 1999.
Date Modified: 2004-10-06 |
