Legal Commentary

CRTC network management hearings - congestion or competition?

By David Canton

The network management hearings continue.  And Michael’s coverage continues.  One of the interesting fundamental issues that has emerged is whether network management is about congestion or competition.  It seems that proponents talk about the need to deal with congestion, while opponents talk about the unfairness of using network management to provide a competitive advantage. 

Distinctions are also being made about management at the wholesale vs retail levels.   And whether the issue is that it happens at all, or whether its OK if it happens so long as the practices are disclosed.  Which leads to the arguement that disclosing means nothing if all the suppliers do the same thing.

It sounds like the quality of the submissions is high - so hopefully that will lead to a well thought out decision in the end.

Full post as published by eLegal Canton on July 10, 2009 (boomark / email).