Net Neutrality Is The General Rule: CRTC Releases Framework To Assess Differential Pricing

On April 20, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) released Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2016-192, entitled Framework for assessing the differential practices of Internet service providers (the Policy).¹ The Policy, along with three other decisions, comprises the CRTC's framework for net neutrality in Canada. The approach set out in the Policy mandates that, subject to certain limited exceptions, retail internet service providers (ISPs) should treat all internet traffic equally, without manipulation, preference or discrimination through technical or economic means.

What You Need To Know

• In general, internet traffic cannot be subject to undue preference or unjust discrimination by an ISP. Pricing data differently depending on its source or type raises some of these concerns.