Shaw may go ahead with usage-based Internet billing
Posted April 25, 2011 3:59 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – It’s a plan that has drawn condemnation from web-surfers and online gamers all over BC. There is word Shaw Communications is going to move forward with usage-based billing.
OpenMedia.ca has posted a recording of a conference call between shareholders and top executives at Shaw that apparently took place April 13th.
The non-profit advocacy group says in the recording, Shaw admits it plans to go ahead with internet metering. “Our customers have said they are willing to pay more for a higher quality of service,” says CEO Bradley S. Shaw.
One shareholder asked if this would happen this year. “We are certainly going to clarify our pricing and packaging plans probably in the late spring, probably late May or early June,” he added.
Shaw pulled back on the implementation earlier this year after outrage and countless complaints from users.
If, or when, Shaw moves forward with usage-based billing, customers would pay a flat rate for Internet usage, as well as extra charges for going over their monthly limit.
An article posted on the Open Media website says, “At this point in Canada’s electoral race, citizens have seen three parties firmly adopt stances against the new fees on Internet use: Green, NDP, and Liberal party leaders have signed on as pro-Internet candidates… thereby agreeing to stop the pay meter on our Internet.”
UBC Computer Science Professor Richard Rosenberg says usage billing appears to be unavoidable, but believes the company will be more up front about its plans this time.
“They’ll be clear and say we have lot’s of users on this and we have to charge more because we have to increase the capacity. But I think they’ll get what they want in the end anyway”.
He says if Shaw switches to usage-based billing, other internet service providers will follow.
