Canadians, Speak Out to Stop Internet Metering!

[Collector]

What they already have based on DL speed seems like it should work. Someone with an under 6Mb rate pays less that someone at a 20Mb rate. That <6Mb person will be able to download far less in a month than someone at 20. Internet service has become a real necessity. It needs some kind of oversight, but in this case it looks like it all ready may have it.

[Maiandra]

Well, yes, many companies already have reasonable pricing structures set out. We have a mid-range package from our provider and it seems to be fine for our use.

I was thinking more of the supposed complaints about those that have some "unlimited" packages.

[Collector]

Those with "unlimited" packages are already paying more than someone with just a 6Mb package with a cap. In other words the pricing to package structure as it is already takes into account that those using more pay more. If what they have is a money loser they just need to readjust their rates. Most ISPs already have a value package of 1 Mb or less for those that just want to do email and browse the internet. These packages are usually cheap enough that they certainly are not subsidizing those of us that stream video or download a lot of DLC.

[Maiandra]

Yes, they're paying more, but you can't really equate a flat rate with an unlimited amount when talking about proportional pricing. It would make sense for the highest priced package simply to have the highest cap, instead of being "unlimited", which is vague and can lend itself to abuse.

Just because I said it doesn't seem unreasonable to have some kind of cap for even the highest packages (not 25 GB!), doesn't mean I'm ascribing to the rest of their argument. I am well aware of how their pricing structures work. I had a look at those for our own internet provider just the other day, when this entire thing started. It's fairly easy to see that you get what you pay for.

I don't know why some people in the articles have been talking about the situation as though the current pricing schemes don't exist (maybe they don't for some of the smaller IPs), but I am not under that delusion.

The only thing I've been talking about here is the unlimited packages. That's the one area where I could see them being justified in making a change.

As I said previously, I wouldn't have a problem with the monthly charges going up a little, but their entire scheme of the same low usage cap for everyone is ridiculous when most IPs currently have an appropriate model.