C-288 – An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act (transparent and accurate broadband services information) – would require carriers to make certain information regarding their broadband services to be made easily available. It would also require the CRTC to hold public hearings to inform how the carriers are to fulfill this obligation.
The following information will need to be made available to the public:
- Service quality metrics during peak periods
- Typical download and upload speeds during peak periods
- Any other information the CRTC thinks is in the public’s interest
The CRTC’s hearings would be used to determine:
- The metrics to be measured, how they’ll be measured, and the method to ensure those metrics are representative of the different broadband service packages in different regions of Canada
- The methods that will be used to determine what counts as “typical download and upload speeds”
- What is considered peak periods
- The types of carriers, if any, that should be excluded from the reporting requirements
- How the information will be presented to the public
Committee Amendments
During the committee review of C-288 it was decided that the CRTC’s hearings should also include the measures to be taken when it comes to compliance monitoring and enforcement when it comes to ensuring the information being reported is accurate.
Status
C-288 passed its Second Reading with everyone voting in favour, has completed its Committee consideration, and has finished its Third Reading again with everyone in support of it. It is now before the Senate.