Is Broadband Basic Service?

Author

Michael De Santis

Organization

Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC)

Published

2010

Summary

A great deal of the internet's rapid rise to prominence is thanks to high bandwidth or broadband connections. These connections allow data and content to travel swiftly internet users and providers. Indeed, many of the internet applications we take for granted today such online video services, streaming music and radio programming and multiplayer online gaming would not be possible without a broadband connection. Broadband is an essential component to realizing the full potential of the internet. Unfortunately, PIAC is gravely concerned that access to broadband internet services is not uniform in Canada. Many consumers, particularly those in rural or remote areas, are not able harness the full potential of the internet. Others may be unable to access existing connections because of lack of resources. This 21st century version of the "Digital Divide", between broadband-connected Canadians and Canadians without such broadband connections could have a very serious effect on Canadian consumers and the country as a whole.

Canada was considered a world leader in broadband availability by the OECD as early as 2003. Today, our ranking amongst OECD members has dropped sharply to the bottom quartile of the list. PIAC is concerned that Canadian consumers are not guaranteed access to broadband services the way consumers in many other countries are today. Access to broadband has important economic, social and cultural ramifications for Canadians and without it, Canadian consumers risk falling behind in today's increasingly online interconnected world. PIAC believes that broadband should be considered an essential service and be made available to all Canadian consumers, regardless of their place of residence. This would be accomplished by a basic service regime similar to that for basic telephony outlined by Telecommunication Decision 99-16. The chief characteristics of any such plan would be that it would be comprehensive, competitively neutral, flexible enough to accommodate technological developments, and subject to effective market or regulatory discipline with respect to costs. Current proceedings, now underway in the CRTC at the time of the issuance of this report, may help to enable such an outcome.

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OCA Funded Research
This research received funding support through the Office of Consumer Affairs' Contributions Program.

Contact information

Source: Consumer Policy Research Database