NDP MP Charlie Angus introduced his promised Net Neutrality private member’s bill into Parliament today. Michael Geist provided a quick analysis of the bill’s provisions, which can be summed up to an emphatic “Oh, okay then.”

Naturally, the bill seeks to add transparency to the Canadian telecom framework, with a particular approach to the traffic shaping concerns which are at the basis of the debate.

Network operators shall not engage in network management practices that favour, degrade or prioritize any content, application or service transmitted over a broadband network based on their source, ownership or destination.

However, Geist points out that many-an-exception has been introduced to the quoted statement, such as “action to provide computer security, prioritize emergency communications, offer differentiated pricing or bit caps, anti-spam filters, handle breaches in terms of service, and to prevent violation of the law.”

Hm. The grey zones are still rather grey, as all these exceptions will have to be examined more closely to determine guidelines for applying them. Just the “handle breaches in terms of service” exception in itself is matter for greater definition, since terms of service are usually determined by the provider.

However, the truly excellent provision of the act asks for a more open Internet, allowing any devices to connect to the Internet without obstruction, and that user information be provided to the subscriber upon request, displaying information like connection speed, nature and limitations.

It’s a little underwhelming, but it’s still a very positive gesture. This is a baby-steps bill; it’s the first proposition its kind and thus must be perceived as an instigator for debate, reflexion, and study. Definitive provisions will come about only once the matter is taken seriously into account by our current government, which hasn’t been the case. Hopefully, the rest of the opposition parties will follow the NDP’s lead on this and will demand that discussion on the net neutrality issue become part of the Conservative agenda sooner than later.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 28th, 2008 at 4:59 pm and is filed under angus, canada, ndp, Net Neutrality, News, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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