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Usage and Capacity Based Billing

Some useful links on the issue which was dealt with by the CRTC regulatory committe can be found here:

• The complete CRTC Ruling
• MUCH easier to read analysis on CBC click here

In a quick summary, the initial concerns we all had about usage based billing were resolved by the CRTC with a decision to not allow a usage based charging scheme (ie charging you more at certain times of the day or based on what you were doing, like for video or skype). Instead they approved a new tarrif structure around capacity-based billing, where service providers and wholesalers can charge based on the capacity-capability of the service provided.

Thus costs will be born based on the total internet usage that a group of users, like the members of NCF, are using. NCF will have to make some bets on how much capacity we will need and pay based on that.

As of Early 2012, we are still working on determining how that will impact our members, but remain dedicated to ensuring our pricing and service remain accessible to the greatest part of our community, while maintaining our non-profit goals.