On this episode of Spark: Access
- Jenny Sparrow learns that her “unlimited” internet plan actually has some limitations (see the letter Bell Mobility sent Jenny)
- Bill St. Arnaud on how Canada’s broadband access compares to the rest of the world (full interview)
- Spark introduces new video columns, like Jesse Wente on Sony’s DualShock 3
- Amber Mac explains Net Neutrality, and why you should care
- Bell’s Mirko Bibic on traffic shaping and net neutrality (full interview)
This episode features Creative Commons music and sound effects:
- “Santigo (Stuttering Breaks Mix)” by DJ Rkod
- “Wadidyusay?” by Zap Mama
- “Mario Sounds” by pilaman
- “Trust Pizz/Spic Strings” by audiotechnica
- “airtone/sp2-tr4/”>sp2 tr4″ and “airtone/onojo/”>onojo” by airtone
- “Body banging Inst” by J.Lang
- “No Pants Friday” from Backtime by Lee Rosevere
Play audio:
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For more information (and instructions) visit cbc.ca/podcasting
Original photo by Ben Zvan.
I,too, received the exact same letter as Jenny. One of the first questions I asked the Bell Store representative was that very question, what was unlimited? I specifically asked if I would be charged if I downloaded from Youtube or played games on Yahoo? The answer came back, unlimited was unlimited and no, I would not be charged extra.
It was interesting to note Jenny receiving the couriered letter the day they were going to terminate the service, I,too, received my letter the same day and they did not wait until 7pm EST to terminate my service, it was about noon they actually cut it off.
When I talked to the representative they advised me that I was using it excessively, I asked what in particular did they mean by excessive? How much is excessive and they would not advise me.
So the plan I have now costs $100 for 250 mb and $1 for each additional mb. They advised me that the amount of MB I used in the month and half I had in the 3 year agreement would have cost me over $2000, and the 250 mb would certainly cover any emails and online banking on a monthly basis.
Well, yes, that’s true, but that means no more reading of emails that have any sort of attachment.
The last 15 days I have used this service, downloaded about 10 pdf 1 page files needed for my son’s schooling and checked my email,done about 5 minutes of online banking and I have used 67MB.
I am using this service because I am also in an area where High Speed Internet is not available and I thought this was the perfect solution for staying online.
Bell has opted out of the 3 year plan and I am on this plan month to month.
Needless to say I am very disappointed in Bell and will not be using their services again.
It seems as though one of the things people find most frustrating is the lack of transparency…in this case, that it’s not clear what their definition of ‘excessive’ is.
Anyway, I’m going to call “Spark” my favourite of the two shows now, because it looks like I’m going to be on it.
Thanks for a very good episode! It’s interesting that your balanced approach to the hot topic of Net neutrality gave Mirko Bibic enough rope to “hang himself”. Lessons in journalism there.