Archive for June 27th, 2011

Forget “Skinny Basic”, It’s Time For the CRTC To Mandate Full Consumer Broadcast Choice

The CRTC vertical integration hearing continues today, following several full days last week in which the Commissioners repeatedly asked whether companies such as Rogers, Bell, and Shaw should be required to offer a “skinny basic” service – a cheaper television package with limited programming. The introduction of skinny basic appears to be one of the CRTC’s preferred responses to the issue, since it is concerned that vertically integrated companies will use their broadcast distribution services to require subscribers to subscribe to their broadcast properties. The major integrated providers have opposed the idea, arguing consumers aren’t interested.

While greater consumer choice is definitely needed, skinny basic, which still envisions a required basket of channels, isn’t good enough. A preferable approach would be to offer consumers real choice with a full pick-and-pay format. I discussed the option in 2009 during the fee-for-carriage fight:

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June 27, 2011 23 comments News

Lawful Access Concerns Generating Increased Media Coverage

Concern over the government’s lawful access plans continues to mount, with coverage in the National Post and a column from the Globe’s Tabatha Southey.

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June 27, 2011 2 comments News

Report Says Canada Leading Hub For Cloud Computing

A new report says Canada is the second-best place in the world to establish massive computer server farms used for cloud computing. I wrote about Canada’s cloud computing advantage late last year.

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June 27, 2011 3 comments News