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News item
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Date posted
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Comment
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Net neutrality fans cheer as FCC gives up on "backroom" talks
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Aug 6, '10
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Did they *really* think that backroom talks was the way to engender public trust in the process ?
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Australia begs residents to accept free fiber connection
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Jul 31, '10
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I must be missing something: If someone offered to install free fibre to my home, my response would be "Why are you wasting time asking and not already installing?" :)
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Gap between advertised, actual broadband speeds growing
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Jul 28, '10
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Funny how the governmetn always seems to be the last to acknowledge that which has been public knowledge for decades...
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Rogers lowers download limits as Netflix looms
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Jul 23, '10
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Are there words other than "sneaky" and "slimy" to describe this move by Rogers ? Yes, but they're not for a general-audience website...
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Should broadband data hogs pay more? ISP economics say "no"
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Jul 20, '10
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I think the (US) ISPs are making the wrong argument: It is not necessarily that the costs of providing bandwidth are going up, it is the excessive over-saturation by heavy users that degrades performance to all other users that justifies, in large part, the by-the-byte pricing.
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EU launches net neutrality inquiry; joins US, UK, and Canada
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Jul 1, '10
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One of these days, some country or another is going to realize that Net Neutrality is not only a benefit, but profitable to BOTH ISPs and consumers and leave the rest of the planet in the dust.
I'm betting it won't be Canada.
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First nation makes broadband access a legal right
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Jul 1, '10
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A "right" - Interesting take. I don't know about setting the minimum so low as one megabit, but...
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Australia makes fiber official: no more copper wires, ever!
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Jun 22, '10
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The Aussies certainly do the infrastructure right (Hey Canada - We're slipping (even further) behind again!) - sadly, they're content and access regulatory scheme causes one to shudder...
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FCC takes baby step towards net neutrality
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Jun 21, '10
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Amazing how much fighting and vitriol over something (net neutrality) that should have been a default status well over a decade ago...
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Study: net neutrality could lead to "devastating" job losses
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Jun 18, '10
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Here's a study where the researches plain and simply "just don't get it". What a waste of electrons.
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Canada must force open internet networks: Senate
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Jun 16, '10
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OMG!!! Canadian politicians saying something that will actually benefit Canadians! The apocalypse must be near!
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Clement seeks opinions on telecom ownership
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Jun 14, '10
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It's about time to scrap ownership limitations on telcos in Canada completely. Those we have now have been abusing their respective monopolies and it requires large multinational competitors - under CRTC regulation - to bring it back into fair play.
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Criticism of new net neutrality plan "simply false"
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Jun 6, '10
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Does *anyone* actually believe the telecoms' self-serving arguments against net-neutrality ?
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[ISP] TeraGo Networks Launches TeraGo Voice in the Greater Toronto Area
Posted by TeraGo Networks
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May 25, '10
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TeraGo Voice is a local voice access service available in two configurations: SIP Trunks and IP PRI Trunks. Both products provide the benefits of legacy PRI Trunking service with the added IP-enabled benefits of consolidation of multiple trunks in separate locations to one centralized access point and phone numbers from any national exchange for any office location in Canada. The SIP Trunking service also provides the added benefits of flexible deployment of voice channels and burstable voice ch
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Canadian Internet use way up since 2007: StatsCan
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May 10, '10
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Kinda falls into the 'well duh' category, but interesting, nonetheless :)
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4Mbps broadband for all to cost $23 billion, won't use fiber
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May 10, '10
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You know, it looked like they were headed in the right direction only... to throw themselves into reverse. Idiots.
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CRTC approves usage-based internet billing
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May 7, '10
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Not everyone is happy about this...
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Uh-oh, telcos: 93% of Australia getting gov't-run fiber
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May 7, '10
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Australias' gov't has made some really bone-headed decisions with regards to the Internet and their citizens, but this is one plan they're getting it right with...
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U.S. regulators seek new internet access laws
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May 7, '10
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Sounds good, except for the part about "not requiring incumbants to share their networks with competitors" - Which means monopolies and duopolies in heavily populated areas. In other words, the consumer still gets screwed.
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FCC on net neutrality: yes we can
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May 6, '10
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Like the article says: What a difference a day makes...
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AT&T settles suit over improper DSL speed caps
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May 6, '10
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It took long enough, but at least a semblance of justice has been done.
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Ignatieff promises broadband for all
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May 5, '10
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Beware of politicians' promises, pre-election...
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Is it high noon for net neutrality at the FCC?
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May 5, '10
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When lobbying goes bad... Oh wait, it was never good in the first place.
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Canadians drop gloves, punch US in face over piracy list
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May 5, '10
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Once again, US politicking gets in the way of actual facts. (Not that we're any less innocent of this)
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Internet Explorer is dying
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May 5, '10
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Thank Ghu! Finally, common sense in the market :)
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ISPs Urge FCC to Resist Broadband Regulation
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Apr 30, '10
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Note: "ISP" is kind of a misnomer here, because the article refers to all the last-mile holders - I.e. telecoms and cablecos, who absolutely have a vested interest in not seeing net neutrality come to the light of day...
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Skype fires at fat telcos over net freedom
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Apr 22, '10
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Quelle surprise: Telcos who want short term profit over long term growth. I'm stunned. (not)
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Making ISPs common carriers: just a simple "error correction"
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Apr 19, '10
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Um... Duh ?
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Who's #1 in broadband? 1Gbps fiber for $26 in Hong Kong
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Apr 14, '10
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Note to US AND Canadian politicians: Next time you even THINK about saying that either of our nations are close to being "advanced" in terms of broadband speed or penetration - Try actually looking at the rest of the world, first...
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Online Advertisers Resume Paying Big Bucks
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Apr 14, '10
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Worst thing you can do in a recession: Cut your advertising. The idea is to attract more customers, not hide from them.
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Screw you, Internet? Digital Economy bill passes in the UK
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Apr 9, '10
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Looks like the UK wants to put itself into the digital stone age. Here's hopting the other Commonwealth countries don't follow suit (Except Australia - they're already following China's lead)
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FCC slams Verizon CEO on "baffling" spectrum comments
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Apr 9, '10
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OK, so maybe Verizon is involved in some form of TCP/IP communications on some planet or another, but it certainly isn't on Earth...
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Internet cut-offs, website censorship about to drop on UK
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Apr 7, '10
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These politicians are in for a world of hurt...
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Verizon CEO: Studies be damned, US is tops in broadband
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Apr 7, '10
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Is this guy a Canadian politician ? Talk about being out of touch with reality and partisan comment..
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Internet link case to go before Supreme Court Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/04/02/supreme-libel-links.html#ixzz0jydIdxbG
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Apr 2, '10
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Interesting case. Personally, I think if you're posting a link to a site you _know_ is defamatory, you're just as guilty as publishing it in the first place, especially seeing how Google and other search engines make such links and their content even more visible/easy to find, the more sites that link to them.
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Canada's tech standing overblown: economists
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Mar 26, '10
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I'll certainly agree on Canadian Business being on the slow side to truly take advantage of the web (brochure ware does not count)
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UK regulators officially mock US over ISP "competition"
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Mar 25, '10
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We're just lucky they didn't pick Canada as a target of ridicule: Their contempt would have been even more apt.
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US may give countries the drug war treatment on cybercrime
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Mar 25, '10
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You know, this is a really good idea. Of course, this is the US government we're talking about, so it remains to be seen about implementation, but still...
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CTIA: Wireless Execs Crave Spectrum, Less Regulation
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Mar 24, '10
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More spectrum: Good. Less government: Bad. Large scale broadband providers have already proven (time and time again) that if given the chance, they won't play fair and it will not be to the consumers benefit.
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Complete ACTA text finally leaked
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Mar 24, '10
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The treaty the the EU has pretty much banned and the US has embraced... Whee.
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Which is more "doomed": cable TV or Internet video?
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Mar 24, '10
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Interesting concept, but until we're looking at least at 20 megabits/sec to the majority of homes, this is a little premature.
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BT ordered to share telegraph poles for fast broadband
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Mar 23, '10
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Well lookie here...Another country exhibiting the infancy of common sense.
Guess what, Bell ? Your turn is coming.
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Burlington, Ont. tops list of riskiest online cities
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Mar 22, '10
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Are you running an unencrypted, unsecure wi-fi connection ? Then chances are good you're giving free access to someone to download child porn or run online scams with *your* internet connection.
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FCC releases plan to improve U.S. Web access
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Mar 16, '10
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... And Canada falls even further behind...
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Microsoft launches an IE9 platform preview
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Mar 16, '10
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Could it be ? An MSIE that isn't a hideously broken, maloderous excuse for a web browser ? Praise be!
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NDP's Angus unveils copyright bill
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Mar 16, '10
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Once again, the NDP comes out with ... wait for it... MORE TAX!!! And they wonder why they never get elected to power ?
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All P.E.I. CAP internet sites closing
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Mar 16, '10
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Given more than 84,000 PEI citizens used CAP sites to get on the 'net last year, closing these down is a bone headed decision.
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Losses from Internet crime more than doubled in 2009
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Mar 15, '10
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Sounds cruel, but most of these victims tend to be Darwin award potentiates.
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Europe trashes ACTA as Obama praises it
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Mar 15, '10
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The ACTA plan really *is* a pile of steaming manure.
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Chavez criticises Internet freedom
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Mar 15, '10
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Oh yeah, and the past 5,000 years shows that censorship of information in any form just works so well (sarcasm)
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Challenges await Federal Communications Commission's national broadband plan
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Mar 15, '10
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Yet again, government seems to think that wireless internet access is somehow in the same category of wireline broadband - It. Is. Not.
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Businesses Still Slow to Let Workers Telecommute
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Mar 15, '10
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It would seem that many a business thinks that the way to remain competitive is to remain in the stone age. Luddites in this day and age really should not be working in anything but general labour.
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Reform Comes Slowly at the FCC
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Mar 5, '10
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What ? A regulatory body unduly influenced by lobbiests <*cough*CRTC*cough> ? Say it ain't so!
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US government rescinds 'leave internet alone' policy
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Feb 26, '10
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What ? You mean you can't trust telcos and cablecos to do the right thing by consomers and businesses alike and treat people fairly while making a fair profit ? Say it ain't so! (sarcasm)
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Skype withdraws support for Windows Mobile
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Feb 26, '10
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Seems to me that the OS in question could use a little work...
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Canadian internet slow, expensive: Harvard
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Feb 23, '10
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Our government seems to think that the only ISPs in Canada are Bell, Shaw, Rogers, Videotron and Telus. Nevermind the other ***500*** plus ISPs in this country willing and able to provide better, faster, more efficient and yes - less expensive - internet if the government actually allowed the CRTCs original ruling of allowing access to all ISPs to higher speed infrastructure.
Guess what ? Collusion between 5 or so Telco and Cablecos is still, in effect, a monopoly on Internet access and not good for Canadians.
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FCC survey shows need to teach broadband basics
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Feb 23, '10
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You know, this is a really, really good idea. Many of today's victims of online fraud and malware attacks are due to their own inexperience and ignorance. For the US regulatory agency to push a consumer education campaign about actually using the 'net safely and intelligently - Kudos to them for putting their citizens first!
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World, get ready for the DMCA: ACTA's Internet chapter leaks
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Feb 23, '10
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More copyright silliness from big rights holders.
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FTC warns 100 organisations over leaked P2P data
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Feb 23, '10
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This, again, falls into the "duh" category. Anyone who whines about IT policies of not installing unapproved apps at work really shouldn't be working with computers in the first place.
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Microsoft Study: Windows 7 Pays Off in a Year
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Feb 23, '10
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If you're still running XP, it *really* is time to upgrade...
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Curb your enthusiasm
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Feb 23, '10
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Proper use of the english language on the 'net most definitely has suffered - This article is a refreshing reminder of better communications online.
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Case closed: why most of USA lacks 100Mbps 'Net connections
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Feb 23, '10
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More stating the obvious, here; That to foster competion, open access (in other words, allowing ISPs regulated access to Telco and Cableco last mile facilities) is a must if you want your country to lift itself out of the stone age.
However, the US, just like Canada, has an awful lot of politicians who would personally lose if they allowed this to happen - and their constituents be damned.
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Shaw tests ultra-fast internet speeds
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Feb 19, '10
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Nice speed, terrible price. Gouging like this will continue as long as the government continues to endorse a distinct lack of competition in the higher speeds of the broadband market.
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U.S. corporations infiltrated by `botnet'
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Feb 19, '10
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Next time you think your companys' IT department is being a little heavy-handed - stop and think for a moment - They usually have a good reason for their security actions.
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Data shows bad economy couldn't stop broadband growth
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Feb 16, '10
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Even I pay my internet bill before my mortgage :)
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What Google could learn from EU ISPs' experience with fiber
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Feb 15, '10
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Indeed - This could also be called "What Canadian Telcos and Cablecos could learn from Google"...
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Australia's Internet: nonneutral and proud of it
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Feb 10, '10
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I don't think the author of this article quite gets the idea of 'favoured connection' - While thiss AUS example is technically non-neutral, it does not give a speed advantage simply because it is only cap-exempt transfers - A benefit to the customer and the partner site, but no disadvantage to people who choose not to patronize the partner site
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Your new ISP? Google launches 1Gbps fiber-to-the-home trial
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Feb 10, '10
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Awfully hard to be scared of big evil mega corp when they do stuff like this :) (Now, as long as they respect net neutrality- something they've been a strong proponent of) Note to certain telcos: It is also open access to *ISPs*. Amazing that a company can do this and be profitable, eh ? (sarcasm)
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Google analyst: U.S. Internet needs to get faster
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Feb 8, '10
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uhh... ya think ?
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[AUS]Online piracy ruled no fault of internet provider
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Feb 4, '10
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You'd think this would be a "duh" moment, but the movie and music industry seems to think it is fair to sue anyone and everyone. Sigh.
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Bell boosts internet speeds
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Feb 4, '10
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This is indeed good news, but far too slow and no word on whether the wholesalers will have access to this. I'm not holding my breath.
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New regulatory battle brewing over ISP classification
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Feb 1, '10
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Can I call it or what ? No net neutrality ? No common carrier status, either - Think you'll make money by prioritizing packets for favoured customers ? Imagine how much you'll lose when you find out you've been hosting a child pornography network and you can't use the common carrier defence.
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Wireless 911 services improved: CRTC
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Feb 1, '10
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This is most definitely a Good ThingTM - Still - if you have medically sensitive people or infants - a wired land line is the safest route for sure-fire 911 access
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Could P2P blocking be legalized by new net neutrality rules?
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Jan 28, '10
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... But the question remains - If they're blocking illegal content (a good thing, to be sure), what happens to the Safe Harbour of being a neutral content carrier ?
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Netflix to FCC: scary loophole in net neutrality rules
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Jan 28, '10
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More and more evidence for why Net Neutrality must be just that: neutral. Create exceptions to this neutrality and entire industries will suffer while the telco/cablecos will profit at their expense.
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Internet Users Falling for More Scams Despite Growing Awareness
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Jan 20, '10
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Sigh. I would comment on this one, but it would make a lot of people hate me, so I won't.
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US broadband's average speed: 3.9Mbps
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Jan 18, '10
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Pretty sad, eh ? To think this continent was once a leader in innovation and technology.
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Droid-buddies Verizon and Google offer net neutrality truce
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Jan 18, '10
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Here's a twinkling of hope, not to mention common sense. Just because you use telco "A" today for your product, doesn't mean you might not be using telco "B" tomorrow - You certainly don't want a non-neutral Telco "A" preventing a quarter (or more) of the country access to your products or services.
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What's next if DC Court says FCC has no power over ISPs
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Jan 17, '10
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Let us be clear: No net neutrality: You're screwed. Was the banking industry 'fair' to consumers in the US when it was deregulated ? Not on your life. You think major telcos are going to happily "let" you use a service you pay for to access their competitors without paying through the nose ? Not on your life.
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What Big Content wants from net neutrality (hint: protection)
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Jan 15, '10
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Not surprised that content would attempt to hijack net neutrality for their own ends. Frankly, they've lost so much credit with the public, I don't think anyone but their shareholders care what their opinions are.
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The true economic value of the Internet? Lots of people
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Jan 15, '10
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This is so true. There are geniuses on the net, there are morons on the net - People you agree and disagree with - One of the ideas of net neutrality is that you have the option to see and hear them all.
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Adding up the explanations for ACTA's "shameful secret"
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Jan 15, '10
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Any time any form of legislation or guidelines that will affect great numbers of citizens is handled in secret is distincly against the principles of a democratic society.
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Skype tells the FCC to require net neutrality.
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Jan 15, '10
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How many tens of thousands use Skype to keep in touch with friends, loved ones and colleagues without paying an arm and a leg ? Imagine if you could no longer use it because your ISP/Telco decided to throttle it because it's a "file sharing" app (And, of course, because they offer their own VoIP product that they want you to use instead...)
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Why the Kankakee County Farm Bureau hates net neutrality
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Jan 14, '10
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If ever you needed to see why cynicism is so common, this tells you why. Yet again, the big telco's really don't have the interests of citizens in mind - only their stockholders.
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Fiber fail? Hong Kong booms as Verizon retrenches
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Jan 14, '10
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You want (more) evidence that Canada and the USA are falling behind the rest of the world with regards to broadband ? Read this.
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Google reports China-based attack, says pullout possible
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Jan 13, '10
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Obviously, this is more than just a 'moral fortitude' decision, but a good one nonetheless, if Google actually pulls out.
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Comcast wants "clear rules," even if it means net neutrality
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Jan 13, '10
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Oh this one is funny, if only to hear hear how a large company was caught in multiple self-serving deceptions in its' own testimony during BitTorrent throttling investigations :P (And yes, clear rules on net neutrality are indeed needed)
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Groups Rally for Net Neutrality
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Jan 13, '10
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"ISPs want to extract revenue from content providers" is one of the quotes here. They can, indeed - By moving to a revenue model of paying-by-the-byte
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Lawsuits: AT&T collects illegal taxes on Internet access
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Jan 12, '10
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I guess Revenue Canada is scarier than the IRS - Collecting fake "taxes" as a form of revenue and not submitting to government - As John Pinette would say: "Nay nay!"
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R.E.M.: Everybody Hurts (without network neutrality)
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Jan 12, '10
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A pleasing, but uncommon voice from the music industry supporting the idea that yes, we should all have equal and unfettered access to the 'net (Not free, mind you, but definitely unfettered)
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Cost-benefit analysis: net neutrality makes economic sense
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Jan 11, '10
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What ? Allowing users to transfer more data through an ISP, opening the doors for the ISPs to change their revenue models, therefore making more money is a good thing ? Ya don't say...
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(web)Site's terms still enforceable even if users never read them
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Jan 10, '10
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This would be interesting news, except I'd have thought it common sense that when entering any form of contrat, a responsible consumer reads the terms and conditions of ths sale. This judgement reaffirms this wisdom.
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Skeptical judges ask FCC if Comcast P2P smackdown was legal
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Jan 8, '10
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Judges who do not understand the industry upon which their rulings shall have an effect should not even be allowed to hear such cases, much less issue rulings.
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France pitches Google Tax to save music, books
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Jan 7, '10
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Even though I am of French descent, some of the Internet headlines coming from France make me want to change my last name...
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Government skeptical wireless can open up broadband market
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Jan 7, '10
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OMG, a government agency that actually has a clue!
Wireless does not equal wireline broadband - much in the same way that the reverse is true, as well - Wireless is not only well and fine, but vital to countless industries and citizens but it is not broadband internet
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Wireless Internet Coming to New Ford Vehicles
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Jan 7, '10
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This generates two comments from me: "Umm, why ?" followed quickly by "Oh, man, that's cool!" :)
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FCC raises eyebrow at Google 'white-space' play
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Jan 6, '10
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Yeah, file this under "Fox guarding the hen house"...
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FTC reminds us that storing data in the cloud has drawbacks
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Jan 6, '10
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You'd think this would be common sense, but this is indeed a good reminder by the FTC
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[US] Municipal fiber needs more FDR localism, fewer state bans
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Jan 6, '10
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If you want to see how telcos and cablecos really don't have the best interests of their customers in mind until forced to by politicians that actually have their citizens best interests in mind (rare enough these days), read this article.
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China will squeeze the Internet even more
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Jan 4, '10
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As long as they keep holding back their citizens, it is the one guarantee that China will not dominate the world.
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Bono: ISPs should filter music, Steve Jobs should make cars
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Jan 4, '10
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Yeah, and this guy is all about peace and love and not about making a buck for himself first and foremost. Politicians who allow entertainers and big business (one and the same) to dictate policy... Well, my suggestion is too rude for a public web site.
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Four tech-related bills dead in Parliament
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Jan 4, '10
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Definitely not a good thing. Canada is falling far enough behind as it is - This delay doesn't help.
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Will True Net Neutrality Become a Reality in 2010?
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Dec 30, '09
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One can hope, but I'm not holding my breath...
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Internet resumes 6 months after riot in west China
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Dec 29, '09
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That's just plain scary that a government hates its' people so much that it would shut off communications like that.
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Average time online higher than years ago; sky still blue
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Dec 23, '09
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Really ? More time online ? Ya don't say. Of course, time spend watching TV and reading newspapers is on the decline, so I don't think this is saying it's a shift in the amount of spare time we all have...
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Big wireless to FCC: be consistent - except when it benefits us
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Dec 23, '09
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Either the lobbyists (and the companies they represent) are stupid, or the politicians they're talking to are if either thinks this is true net neutrality. Personally, I think it is both...
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[US]Comcast settles P2P throttling class-action for $16 million
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Dec 22, '09
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Imagine that - getting in trouble for slowing down a connection that customers have paid for...
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http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1566779/firefox-world-browser
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Dec 21, '09
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Whaddya know ? The world at large can be educated! :)
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Sneak peek at FCC National Broadband Plan gets mixed reviews
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Dec 17, '09
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Surprise, surprise, the politicians aren't getting it right the first time around...
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AT&T: net neutrality OK if we can cut priority access deals
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Dec 16, '09
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In other words, AT&T is willing to follow the concepts of net neutrality, as long as they are also allowed to violate it when someone pays them.
Brilliant (sarcasm meter just exploded)
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Google weighs in to Aussie firewall row
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Dec 16, '09
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Like the El Reg editor said "Not so vocal on China, eh ?" - Amazing how money changes one's ethical stance, isn't it ?
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[US]First Draft of FCC Broadband Policy Revealed
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Dec 16, '09
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As the United States and Canada fall farther and farther behind Asia and Europe, one would hope broadband deployment and (fair) access will be given a higher priority sometime soon...
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France: 70% to get 100Mbps Internet within 10 years
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Dec 15, '09
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File this under "A headline you will not see in Canada as long as Bell runs a monopoly on the last mile"
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New Internet Bill of Rights contender comes from... pirates?
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Dec 11, '09
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Should be interesting and certainly contains the basic 'rights' that we would all like to enjoy. The proposed bill will make a good read when it comes out.
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FTC drags out old, tired ideas for protecting kids online
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Dec 11, '09
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Here's an idea: How about parents actually, you know, *parent* for a change ? TALK to your kids, EDUCATE your kids, BE AWARE of what your kids are doing. Rely on the government alone and they will be in for a world of hurt...
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Open-access internet rules take hits
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Dec 11, '09
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The last sentence in this article is: ""They're missing what is clearly obvious. It's difficult to see why they're missing it."" - So let me say it aloud: Someone - or, more likely, some people, in the government are taking illegal bribes to create a government enforced duopoly in high speed internet.
In other words, the system governing the very core of broadband internet in Canada is corrupt.
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Google sues work-at-home scammers
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Dec 10, '09
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This is definitely a good news story - Scammers abound on the 'net and of course, 'buyer beware' should always be the first rule of thumb. It is nice, however, when a corporate behemoth like Google slams a hammer the size of an asteroid down on fraudsters.
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[US]Big Cable: Net neutrality violates ISP 1st Amendment rights
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Dec 9, '09
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It is arguments like this that reinforce the need for a strong - and democratic - government oversight to companies that have effective control over large swathes of consumers' communications
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AT&T wants to "educate," charge heavy data users more
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Dec 9, '09
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Usually, I find many of large and pseudo-monopoly company's decisions and actions often tend to be on the side of greed. In this case, however, AT&T is bang on the money: If you use more, pay more. Period.
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How to be the world's greatest ISP
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Dec 8, '09
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And to think that Canada used to be an honest-to-goodness world leader in Internet connectivity, services and access. Now, we are 28th and falling...
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The future of WiFi: gigabit speeds and beyond
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Dec 7, '09
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Gigabit Internet ? Bring it ON, baby!
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Google chief: Only miscreants worry about net privacy
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Dec 7, '09
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Although I'm not a big privacy hound myself, I do recognize both the need and desire of anyone's right to privacy. This was a bone headed statement on Schmidt's part.
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"Bandwidth hogs" join unicorns in realm of mythical creatures
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Dec 3, '09
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Mythical ? Having worked for several ISPs, I can definitively say that 'bandwidth hogs' - those that suck up way too much of the network most definitely do exist.
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Google Public DNS service not ideal for everyone
|
Dec 3, '09
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This falls into the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it category" - The article is right, though: If your ISPs DNS services suck, by all means, use a public one, otherwise...
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FCC starts debate between TV, wireless on spectrum efficiency
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Dec 3, '09
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Every now and then, a government agency actually does some research into something that really does affect consumers (OK, tongue-in-cheek, but with our CRTC, one has to wonder at times)
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Forget DTV; FCC now planning "all-IP" phone transition
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Dec 2, '09
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Call me old-fashioned, but I like the idea of communications being wire-based - at least having an emergency infrastructure there. Still, this does count as a Good Thing(tm)
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Prolific penis pill pushers fined almost $19m
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Nov 30, '09
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It might make a small dent in spam, but little by little, spammers are getting bigger and bigger penalties (finally)
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[UK]Secret to getting broadband in a 'not spot'
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Nov 30, '09
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How not to impress rural residents: Give your CEO broadband while all your neighbours can only get dial-up...
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[UK]News websites owned by Johnston Press start charging
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Nov 30, '09
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File this under the "How to absolutely guarantee the traditional news media quickens its' spiral of death" category...
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UK broadband forum faces the issues
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Nov 27, '09
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Getting broadband rollout issues out in the public is a good thing, but really, there is only one end-solution: All citizens of any country need access to high speed Internet access..
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ICANN Decries DNS Redirect Practices
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Nov 25, '09
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I'm not a fan of DNS redirects myself: If I mis-type a domain, I'd rather know about the error, rather than being directed to an ad-filled site or something unrelated altogether. It's big money, though - It'd be a fight to get it banned.
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Spain warned on filesharing cut-offs
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Nov 24, '09
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Gee, judgement and punishment without due process - this causes a problem with the EU - YA THINK ?!?
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Fox calls for US to join France
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Nov 24, '09
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...And of course, if any of the film studios were assigned punishment without trial, you can bet the litigation would stretch God's own wallet. Hypocrisy at its worst.
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Godfather of spam goes down
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Nov 24, '09
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Slowly but surely, large spammers are beginning to get nailed by the legal system
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http://arstechnica.com/telecom/news/2009/11/big-telcos-slam-broadband-open-access-broadband-report.ars
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Nov 24, '09
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MMMmmmm, fibre - Yummy!
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ISPs to monitor child porn under proposed bill
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Nov 23, '09
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Again, legislation with a good idea at heart, but no clue on the actual implementation of it (not to mention moving ISPs into the fuzzy gray area of law enforcement - not a position they want to be in)
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[US] Telcos to FCC: give us billions, but don't make us share lines
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Nov 23, '09
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Sounds like Bell Canada to the CRTC: "We'll roll out 20 mbit/sec DSL, but [b]only[/b] if we don't have to give access to other ISPs... Despite the fact that we control the last mile...
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Rural broadband deadline looming
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Nov 19, '09
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As a rural resident with broadband access myself, I can categorically state that it creates a large economic benefit to rural and remote communities.
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Web 2.0 Makeover Poses Big Risks for Gov't: Study
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Nov 19, '09
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This article is pretty much bang-on. Personally, I think the term "web 2.0" is much over-hyped. Gov't upgrading across the board just for the sake of upgrading is, frankly, a waste of tax dollars.
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[ISP] Skyway West letter published by Vancouver Georgia Straight Newspaper
Posted by Skyway West
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Nov 18, '09
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Bill Campbell, President, Skyway West Business Internet Services, explains why Canadian Broadband Internet access is at a crucial crossroads.
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[UK]Anti-filesharing laws are go
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Nov 18, '09
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Yet another example of (attempting) to make the ISP a branch of law enforcement. Given our laws derive from the British, I doubt this will stand up to the inevitable challenge in court.
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Finland, Spain bringing 1Mbps broadband to everyone
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Nov 18, '09
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While 1 mb/sec may not seem like a lot - this announcement is important: It means [b]all citizens[/b] of these countries will be able to get [b]at least[/b] a one megabit connection. Neither Canada or the United States can come even close to saying this is true.
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Vietnam Internet users fear Facebook blackout
|
Nov 17, '09
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I find it amazing that people today still hold the utterly ignorant view that censorship actually works or accomplishes anything more than highlighting the information that a government objects to.
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When do net neutrality "anecdotes" become "data"?
|
Nov 17, '09
|
The problem with these anecdotes is that they affected millions of people. Net neutrality is a common sense approach to Internet infrastructure governance. The fact that there is even a debate about it shows there are an awful lot in positions of power whose concerns are money and not fairness (Note: Those two concepts are NOT mutually exclusive)
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[Russia]Swords into Silicon Valleys
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Nov 16, '09
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There are already absolutely brilliant programmers coming from Russia; When the country finally focuses on coming into the modern Internet age, it will be a formidable force to be reckoned with.
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An alternative approach for net neutrality is proposed
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Nov 13, '09
|
It's an idea that looks good at the outset, but I think is in the category of "slippery slope" - One suggestion is that TV streaming is "more important" than other types of traffic - I, for one, wholeheartedly disagree.
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SPDY: Google wants to speed up the web by ditching HTTP
|
Nov 12, '09
|
It is inevitable that the HTTP protocol (finally) be revisited as to its efficiency. Faster web browsing ? Oh yeah, baby!
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[US]FCC Mulls Broadband Network for Public Safety
|
Nov 12, '09
|
Well lookit that: Sometimes, government actually does have a clue when it comes to intelligent pre-planning!
|
[ISP] NINA-IT International is rolling out a New Internet access product
Posted by NINA-IT International
|
Nov 12, '09
|
Finally, the Internet has arrived in Canada, good bye slow speed and ADSL (+).
This system is the Ideal Internet access for Canada, no new wire running, not dealing with bad infrastructure, welcome to a redundant RPIA-WLAN, a system that gets better speed if more users are subscribed to it. Unlike Cable, where the speed suffers when more users are online.
It is a new WLAN system not limited to speed, on the contrary, more user means more powerful. This kind of Network will be able to offer as
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ISPs to become Internet cops?
|
Nov 12, '09
|
Once again, the slippery slope begins. This is especially dangerous in regions (of any country) where one ISP holds a monopoly on service availability.
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Russia needs to form its own 'Silicon Valley' - Medvedev
|
Nov 12, '09
|
Indeed, for Russia to truly use its' own natural human resources, a silicon valley in Russia would be a good thing indeed for technology worldwide.
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[US]DoJ Busts Up Eastern European Hacking Ring
|
Nov 11, '09
|
Some may think that just because they're hacking in another country that they're safe from the law. Oh what a tangled web we weave...
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Global Internet Ad Spending Stabilizing: IDC
|
Nov 11, '09
|
Indeed it is stabilizing and is about to go on the upswing as better and more accurate trending, analysis and targeting comes into play (In other words: This is a Good Thing(tm)
|
[US]Broadband stimulus cash going quickly - who's making a grab?
|
Nov 11, '09
|
As with all stimulus programmes, it will be interesting to see if this actually expands broadband availability in the US or will simply add a couple of points to a few stocks' values.
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[US]Google's gift: Free WiFi in 47 airports
|
Nov 10, '09
|
Well there's an (expensive) way to garner market goodwill :)
|
Net hasn't isolated Yanks - they've just misplaced their friends
|
Nov 6, '09
|
In a two-for-two on sociological evolution, this study is hardly surprising.
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EU agrees on new internet user rights
|
Nov 5, '09
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Given some recent examples of 'social engineering' to get people kicked off the 'net, this is a Good Thing(tm)
|
Bill could kill ISP safe harbor in cases of financial fraud
|
Nov 5, '09
|
File this under "slippery slope" - ISPs have enough to do without adding law enforcement. The current system of either common sense for blatantly-obvious cases like kiddie porn or outrageous libel and obtaining a court order works quite well.
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[UK]More mobile Internet than fixed by 2011
|
Nov 4, '09
|
How's that for a sign of the socio-evolutionary times ?
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Liberals urge more internet, cellphone competition
|
Oct 30, '09
|
It's easy to say the "right things" whilst in opposition - Remains to be seen if this is an actual push or just a sound bite.
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House, Senate get separate bills to kill net neutrality
|
Oct 30, '09
|
Sigh. Politicians and common sense - Why can these two terms never seem to exist in the same sentence ?
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ICANN allows non-Latin domain names
|
Oct 30, '09
|
The Internet just got more (finally) global!
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Facebook awarded $711m in 'Spamford' Wallace case
|
Oct 30, '09
|
Don't get me wrong: Facebook winning is a good thing - but the award ? Facebook deserves it, absolutely, but they might as well have been awarded the planet Jupiter, for the likelihood of collecting...
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CRTC denies internet throttling appeal
|
Oct 29, '09
|
Is anyone surprised ?
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[UK]ISP's attack government anti-filesharing tactics
|
Oct 29, '09
|
What ? ISPs know their own industry best ? No way! (sarcasm)
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Net neutrality faces political, legal hurdles
|
Oct 26, '09
|
Sigh. "Hurdles" in achieving a level playing field. Pretty sad, eh ?
|
Net neutrality regulations could be a bad thing
|
Oct 26, '09
|
Guys, you're here to provide connectivity to the Internet - that's it - Stop trying to tell consumers how to use said connectivity
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Government quiet on new net neutrality rules
|
Oct 23, '09
|
There is a time and a place for "let the market rule" - Internet control by a duopoly is not one of them. Our government should know better.
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Music label learns from 'pirates'
|
Oct 22, '09
|
Imagine that: Giving consumers what they want, how they want it and... they buy stuff from you! Who'd'a'thunk it?
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CRTC issues new net neutrality rules
|
Oct 21, '09
|
It sounds good, but there seems to be some caveats in there that suggest that big Telco/Cablecos will still be throttling. Time will tell.
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Opposition MPs want action on broadband
|
Oct 19, '09
|
Much as I dislike agreeing with the NDP, they're bang-on with this one. Plain old 'let the market rule' simply doesn't work with broadband because the last-mile dupolies will always abuse their positions.
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Net neutrality pitting Web giants against state AGs, mayors
|
Oct 19, '09
|
Just get on with it already and create a level playing field - THEN you can let the market decide. Without a means to even get to the market, however...
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FCC flooded with anti-net neut letters
|
Oct 17, '09
|
Once again: Consider the source...
|
[UK]Home Office backs down on net censorship laws
|
Oct 16, '09
|
While the idea was good in principal, if this doesn't define "slippery slope"...
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[AUS]Landmark ISP piracy case could kick thousands offline
|
Oct 16, '09
|
You know, usually the Aussies are pretty smart cookies, but their Internet policy is bonkers...
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Marketers want anti-spam bill altered
|
Oct 16, '09
|
Like the MP says: "Without opt-in, what is the point of an anti-spam bill ?"
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Fast Internet access becomes a legal right in Finland
|
Oct 15, '09
|
Minimum 1 mb/sec for all residents - That's not too far-fetched as a "right" in this day and age...
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Canadian broadband blasted by Harvard study
|
Oct 15, '09
|
Gee - ya think ? Yet certain large telco and cablecos keep trying to forcefeed the idea that somehow, we are 'upper echelon' of Internet access...
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Canadian broadband blasted by Harvard study
|
Oct 15, '09
|
Qu'elle surprise...
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[US] GOP senators: Net neutrality rule making must be bipartisan
|
Oct 14, '09
|
Once again, politicians talking about that which they have no clue...
|
$10 billion takes fiber to every school, hospital in the US
|
Oct 9, '09
|
More fibre = more bandwidth - especially for medicine and education - definitely a good thing!
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Botnet-hosting subscribers soon to get warnings from Comcast
|
Oct 9, '09
|
While many are leery about ISPs stepping into the law enforcement role, this one is a good thing for all of us - especially those who unwittingly are infected
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[US]FCC to investigate "gating" role of middle-mile access lines
|
Oct 9, '09
|
If the FCC is suddenly taking on the role of consumer and internet advocacy, whaddya think the chances are of the CRTC learning a lesson or two ?
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EU taunts US: Net neutrality's better here
|
Oct 9, '09
|
While some decry "more laws" as a bad thing, the fact is that greed is an inevitable factor in the corporate world: Governments' role is to step in when that greed is detrimental to the populace as a whole.
|
Canadian broadband is world-class: ISP-funded report
|
Oct 7, '09
|
Mother always said "Consider the source". My, my... Look who funded this 'report'...
|
Australian ISP in court for not disconnecting users
|
Oct 7, '09
|
What ? An ISP not punishing users without such feeble things as evidence and a fair trial before a jury of their peers or even access to due process ? What does iiNet think they are ? Civilized ?
|
Bell will sell iPhones next month
|
Oct 6, '09
|
The Juggernaut gets bigger. Note the mention of the new 21 megabit/sec network...
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[UK] O2 Broadband puts brakes on BitTorrent
|
Oct 6, '09
|
And another one bites the dust. What happened to "We're paying for internet access" ?
|
US to regulate bloggers
|
Oct 6, '09
|
While this sounds "Big Brother" from the title, it's actually a good consumer protection idea
|
[US]FCC Chair Says Net Neutrality Benefits Musicians
|
Oct 5, '09
|
Never a truer position taken...
|
US Congress wants warnings on P2P software
|
Oct 2, '09
|
Well, this would certainly get rid of any "ignorance" defence...
|
Universal Broadband Key to Saving Media: Panel
|
Oct 2, '09
|
It takes em a while, but even law makers get it eventually...
|
Does broadband need its own government "nutrition label"?
|
Oct 1, '09
|
You know, I like this idea...
|
Broadband quality study finds Canada lagging
|
Oct 1, '09
|
Gee, we're lagging: YA THINK ?!?
|
ICANN cuts cord to US government, gets broader oversight
|
Sep 30, '09
|
Global oversight for a global communications medium.
|
[US]FCC Panel: Cybersecurity Needs Incentives
|
Sep 30, '09
|
Sad to think people need to see an up-front economic benefit to security preactices
|
US government to relax Internet tyranny
|
Sep 29, '09
|
OK, the article title is a little over the top...
|
Is it legal to download music if you don't upload?
|
Sep 28, '09
|
Best quote: "where the recording industry has apparently shot itself in the foot ... by getting exactly what it wanted." :)
|
De-regulation rattles junior Internet Service Providers
|
Sep 28, '09
|
If you think innovation in service, price and technology is driven by the large telco or cablecos, you really need to think again. This interview with Bill Campbell, president of SkyWay West, is reprinted with permission on the CanadianISP site. [PDF]
|
Microsoft howls as Google turns IE into Chrome
|
Sep 25, '09
|
Microsoft has a lot of legitimate issues in upgrading their browser, but they *really* have to modernize...
|
FCC sets Net Neutrality hearing date
|
Sep 25, '09
|
October 22 is the day to look forward to the Internet getting a little more fair (again)
|
US to cede control of ICANN?
|
Sep 25, '09
|
Not that ICANN has done a whole lot for the street-level businesses of the world, but interesting nonetheless...
|
AT&T Fires Back at Google on Net Neutrality
|
Sep 25, '09
|
Large Telco raises a very good point...
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Companies Still Not Securing Customer Data
|
Sep 25, '09
|
Sigh. Somehow, I'm not surprised...
|
Wireless carriers gear up to fight FCC's net neutrality plans [US]
|
Sep 24, '09
|
Wireless can often be a tough sell in the high profit/high density urban areas. And they want to give even more reasons to make it a tough sell ? Some people just don't get it...
|
Labour to push for broadband tax before election [UK]
|
Sep 24, '09
|
I suppose you could argue that at least Canada isn't the only country to try to actively hold back it's broadband industry...
|
Social Network Ad Spend Surging
|
Sep 24, '09
|
What ? Advertising where millions and millions of eyeballs are focusing is profitable ? Say it ain't so...
|
Intel unfurls copper-killing optical cables
|
Sep 23, '09
|
Faster information travel within our computers ? As an avid gamer, all I can say is: YESSSSSSSS!
|
France OKs Three Strikes... again
|
Sep 23, '09
|
Sigh. Judicial enforcement without the judicial branch. Does any government honestly think this will stand up in court ? With their citizens ?
|
Net Neutrality to be curbed in the EU
|
Sep 23, '09
|
I guess the home continent of communism and facism hasnt' entirely forgetten it's roots...
|
Want to read all about it online? It may cost you
|
Sep 21, '09
|
Somehow, I don't think we're going to see all or even most news sources moving to a for-pay system...
|
U.S. set to pass 6 net neutrality rules
|
Sep 21, '09
|
A shame this isn't a Canadian news item...
|
FCC boss moves for stiffer net neut rules
|
Sep 21, '09
|
We know the big telcos and cablecos won't just go by the spirit of the law(s) alone...
|
MTS urges CRTC to scrap internet usage billing
|
Sep 21, '09
|
Allowing Bell to dictate the retail usage-based billing ? Insanity. MTS is right on the money with this one.
|
Facebook shuts down Beacon marketing tool
|
Sep 21, '09
|
Personally, I'm a fan of more detailed advertising - more relevant ads in your browsing, but I can understand the publics' fear of privacy invasion.
|
Rogers' territorial lawsuit against Shaw quashed
|
Sep 21, '09
|
One wonders how Rogers thought they even had a chance at winning this...
|
ISPs react, sort of support network neutrality - with caveats
|
Sep 21, '09
|
With caveats ? Folks, the Internet is the Internet. Open net is an Open net. Change your business plan - not your technology plan - to deal with wireless issues.
|
FCC Chairman wants network neutrality, wired and wireless
|
Sep 21, '09
|
Well duh...
|
Post-802.11n WiFi targets 1Gbps
|
Sep 19, '09
|
More speed: OM NOM NOM NOM NOM!
|
The 411 on investing in wireless companies
|
Sep 18, '09
|
More competition is almost always a good thing :)
|
U.S. to introduce net neutrality rules: report
|
Sep 18, '09
|
Remember when Canada took the lead on issues like this ?
|
Big Content to FCC: don't kill our ISP filtering dream!
|
Sep 18, '09
|
Oh get over yourselves...
|
CanadianISP.com releases Net Neutrality Stance
|
Sep 17, '09
|
One can only stay completely neutral so long before rampant abuse is too much to bear.
|
Neutralizing the net: Legislators and Internet users have different ideas of what a non-discriminatory Internet means
|
Sep 17, '09
|
... and some ISPs have even different ideas than consumers and legislators...
|
MediaSentry surfaces in Canada. Again.
|
Sep 17, '09
|
Oh joy - American style copyright investigators here at home.
|
Net Neutrality Gets New Support in House[US]
|
Sep 17, '09
|
Net neutrality: The way things should be.
|
CRTC not enforcing internet ruling
|
Sep 16, '09
|
Oh why are we not surprised ?
|
Porn blocking up to schools, parents: McGuinty
|
Sep 16, '09
|
This falls into the "OMG, a politician with common sense!" file. If you've got kids accessing computers, do you really need a law to tell you it should be filtered ?
|
N.S. garlic farm wards off high-speed internet
|
Sep 16, '09
|
"I think over a period of time it will change the DNA of the garlic because it shakes up the molecules". Um. Yeah.
|
France passes harsh anti-P2P three-strikes law (again)
|
Sep 15, '09
|
I guees "right to a fair trial" and "treated equally before the law" doesn't apply in all countries...
|
The Everus Network Has Been Sabotaged
|
Sep 13, '09
|
This is pretty da**ed sad when someone would go to this length to sabotage a local business, cutting off over 3,000 people from the Internet.
|
MTS, small ISPs launch campaign against CRTC ruling
|
Sep 11, '09
|
We should't have to use the courts just to get a fair playing field.
|
CRTC reviewing its oversight of basic telecom services
|
Sep 11, '09
|
We wouldn't mind the CRTC being an industry watchdog if they would actually act in the interest of all Canadians, rather than one or two companies...
|
Campaign Launched to Reverse Harmful CRTC Decision
|
Sep 10, '09
|
You'd think the CRTC would have clued in that part of their mandate is consumer protection not consumer fleecing.
|
Rural Algoma waits for Internet court decision
|
Sep 5, '09
|
What ? Bell being taken to court to force them into obeying a law ? Say it ain't so!
|
Chamber of commerce draws fire for backing Bell, Telus
|
Sep 3, '09
|
Gee, ya think ? Isn't a Chamber of Commerce supposed to represent all of its members ?
|
Bell to charge small ISPs by usage
|
Aug 13, '09
|
...but Bell Sympatico, their retail arm who competes against ISPs that Bell also supplies, will still have some unlimited accounts. Abuse of monopoly ? Do you really need me to answer that ?
|
Australia biggest ISP admits to lying
|
Aug 12, '09
|
... but of course, that would never happen here... right ?
|
Bell reveals internet throttling details to CRTC
|
Jul 14, '09
|
Funny how they do this not only to themselves, but to their competitors, too. All in the name of "fairness", right ?
|
Greening the Internet: How much CO2 does this article produce?
|
Jul 13, '09
|
Pretty nifty way to think about it...
|
New online services face threat from ISPs, CRTC told
|
Jul 7, '09
|
This was true when ISPs could choose to throttle. Bell, however, has forced them to throttle, as the sole wholesale provider in Ontario and Quebec, being in control of the "last mile".
|
CRTC to look at how Internet traffic is managed
|
Jul 5, '09
|
Given their less-than-brilliant decisions in the past, I have complete faith that the CRTC will bungle this one, too
|
Canada says no to business method patents
|
Jun 11, '09
|
Wow - A legal decision that makes sense!
|
Bell Canada doesn't want to share next-gen fiber network
|
Mar 13, '09
|
So lemme get this straight: You have to go through Bell if you wish to compete in the wire line broadband market, but they'll only sell you slower speeds than their own competitive, retail product ?
|
[US] Senate Approves $7 Billion for Broadband
|
Feb 10, '09
|
Oh look: Canada falls behind...again.
|
Bell Canada opens online video store as P2P debate rages on
|
May 22, '08
|
But Bell says throttling its competitors is good for their shareholders the network!
|
CRTC orders rural broadband expansion, phone rebates
|
Jan 17, '08
|
|
CRTC Orders Cable Carriers to Reduce Rates for ISPs
|
Sep 15, '99
|
Yes, this is ancient, but: Remember when the CRTC actually looked out for the industry ?
|
