Does the CRTC's billing decision make you more likely to switch to a small ISP?

Tech analysts are predicting that customers' rates at small internet service providers could go up after a compromise decision from the CRTC on internet billing.

A decision by the CRTC, led by Konrad von Finckenstein, means small internet service providers will have to start paying for the capacity they re-sell. (Pawel Dwulit/Canadian Press)The CRTC's decision, announced Tuesday, gives established providers two options for charging independent internet service providers -- a flat rate or a rate based on capacity and the number of users.

The capacity rate model charges based on the speed of the service -- meaning small ISPs will be paying for the size of the pipe, not the amount of data that flows through the pipe. And it means small ISPs will have to pay more to provide faster internet to their customers.

Another part of the decision will force the small ISPs to plan how much internet they expect to need. If they require more than they'd planned for, they will need to buy more capacity from the established providers.

Only about six per cent of Canadians get their home internet service from an independent ISP.

Has the CRTC decision changed your mind about smaller ISPs? Are you more likely or less likely to switch to a small ISP following this decision? Let us know what you think.

Are you more likely to switch to a small ISP after the CRTC decision?



(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)