So I am looking at new options for bandwidth at home and on the road, so I signed up for messages from Rogers about their 4G/LTE deployment, such as when will it arrive in mtl area, etc...
The first mail they sent me exhorted me to support them in their submissions to the CRTC regarding the upcoming auction of spectrum freed up by the transition to digital television (iirc.) I googled it, and got this: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf09962.html So the question that comes to my mind is that the position paper above mangles the meaning of "open access" (they refer to it as meaning the ability to connect arbitrary equipment to the network, rather than users with accounts with other providers.) These were my initial thoughts: As a consumer, one should ask for a real open access provision, that would ensure that all users of the network from any company will all be able to communicate in all locations where one company has coverage. I mean that a rogers device would work on the bell network in this band and vice-versa, by law (more importantly, a videotron or mobilicity device would no longer have piss-poor coverage, but instead obtain national coverage rather easily.) The wholesale "data roaming" fees for use of another carriers network charged by network operators would be regulated, similar to how DSL was working over the last decade, and would mean that the newcomers could reduce their costs or improve there plans by building out their own network, but simple coverage would cease to be a differentiator (at least in that band.) but this was just an off the cuff reaction, maybe others have thought a lot more about the issue. Anybody heard anything? letter from Rogers: Across Canada, thousands of people like you have declared: "I want my LTE!" Thank you for speaking out. You're ready for LTE, and Rogers is ready to make Canadians among the first in the world to experience it. But there are some who are attempting to put up a roadblock on the digital fast lane. It would be the only thing stopping you - and the 9 million other families and businesses that rely on Rogers for wireless coverage - from unlocking the full potential of LTE. Nothing should get in the way of Canadian access to LTE. This roadblock that a few companies are proposing is that the Federal Government limits who can have access to the 700 MHz spectrum - the spectrum that would allow for the fastest and strongest LTE network. This spectrum allows for coverage to reach rural areas and through buildings and underground areas in urban areas, providing for a more consistent high-speed experience. The outcome of this government decision will have a major impact on LTE being deployed across Canada. It would also slow Canadian innovation and harm our digital economy. In short, a policy that limits who can have LTE would be a recipe for leaving Canada behind the rest of the world. You can help keep Canada moving forward by asking the Industry Minister and your local Member of Parliament to ensure no one slows you - or our digital economy - down. _______________________________________________ mlug mailing list [email protected] https://listes.koumbit.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mlug-listserv.mlug.ca
