And so it begins… Within weeks of the CRTC announcing that the carriers and telcos have a right to charge customers based on their usage instead of a flat connection rate, Rogers Inc is now contemplating a super-awesome idea: charging their customers for “data priority.”
According to iPhoneInCanada, Rogers has approached consumers and asked their thoughts on having a “premium service that would ensure connectivity in the light of high network usage.”
Awesome.
So, here’s the obvious question: what constitutes “high network usage?” At the rate that the 3G network and fibre bandwidth is evolving in Canada, we’ll reach “high network usage” in no time. Sure, I’m being a little sarcastic, but this could be a real problem. Being stuck downtown without cellular service on Canada Day is one thing, but being stuck downtown on Canada Day with a stab wound, unable to call an ambulance because you didn’t pay the premium is another. What a gem of an idea.
Let’s future forecast a little here. If this is successful on the mobile network, how long will it take until it’s applied to 3G data, or worse, tethered internet connections?
As need for mobile technologies increases, lower social-economic classes will be treated like second class citizens. This is a real problem. Imagine one child being able to complete his homework because his parents are able to pay for the “extra” service on their plans, while another can’t get a connection because his parents are working minimum wage jobs. Stay classy Rogers.
This is downright disgusting, and Rogers should be ashamed they even thought it up. The telecommunications system in Canada is joke, and what’s worse is that the CRTC is an even bigger joke.
Go Team Canada.
Sometimes I feel like moving out to the woods and leaving all this bullshit behind.
Article Via iPhone In Canada
Hi,
We don't comment on rumours, but I can say that at Rogers we always design our products and services with the customer in mind. As a result, we test many concepts and ideas with our customers. Sometimes we're actually considering launching these ideas, but often we're just testing concepts. Many of the ideas we test never get launched based on customer feedback.
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LikeI don't read this column regularly, so I don't know if overstating a point is some kind of shtick. However, this article comes across as hysterical fear-mongering.
Disclosure: I have Rogers cell, tv, internet and home-phone service. I wouldn't call myself a Rogers supporter but will admit it sure looks that way. Discounts for bundled service, inertia and a bad experience with Telus is the real reason things are the way they are.
I just doesn't think anyone that has a system capable of providing coherent levels of service would new incapable of providing priority routing for 911 calls.
The scenario where an impoverished inner-city youth cannot complete his homework using tethered internet because some rich dandy is day-trading on his iphone is ludicrous.
The reality is if people aren't getting service because the network is busy they will go somewhere else. Yes, draconian contact cancellation fees make this difficult, or at least slow, but if any carrier can provide terrible service and get away with it, premium access haven't the real problem.
Formally there's no need to forecast premium services: I have a choice of connection speeds for my cable. I can pay for super-fast speeds or I can pay less for a connection that is better suited for email. Since I can choose how much data usage I get a month and have to pay for overage two of the thee connection variables is already available to Rogers, meaning we're talking about connection speeds.
It is not the end of the world.
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