ASL – Call for comments: Providing clear and comparable information on network performance – 6 of 13
Video is also available in Langue des signes québecoise (LSQ).
Video Transcript
Providing clear and comparable information on network performance
- The Commission is considering whether it should require that ISPs provide information about network performance. Currently, ISPs are guided by their individual commercial practices as to what type of pre-sale information they provide to consumers. ISPs typically publish on their website information such as maximum download and upload speeds, price, and the Wi-Fi technology of the router being provided.
- The Commission notes that the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) published a report in 2022. In this report, PIAC advocated to expand the information that ISPs provide, particularly the information on average maximum download and upload speeds, latency,Footnote 1 and jitter.Footnote 2 PIAC also called for an examination of the methodology that would be used to determine each of those metrics.
- At an international level, some countries require ISPs to provide information on speeds beyond the basic maximum and minimum download and upload speeds available to consumers and customers. Some examples can be found below:
- The FCC in the United States requires broadband consumer labels to report typical network performance. Typical network performance is the median value of network performance measurements taken during peak usage periods, defined as being between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. local time.
- The European Union’s Regulation (EU) 2015/2120, sometimes referred to as the Telecommunications Single Market Regulation,requires ISPs to include clear information on Internet speeds in all end-user contracts, including the minimum, normally available, maximum, and advertised speeds.
- The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission published comprehensive guidance for ISPs on how to advertise speeds and what information to provide consumers in a one-page key facts sheet before they purchase a service.
- The United Kingdom (UK) set an updated advertising standard in 2018. It required that advertised speeds be based on the download speed available to at least 50% of customers at peak time (defined as 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and be referred to as “average” speeds. Previously, ISPs operating in the UK could advertise the maximum speed if it reached at least 10% of customers.
- Considering the requirements in An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act (transparent and accurate broadband services information), ISPs will have to provide service quality metrics and typical download and upload speeds during peak periods, at a minimum. Providing information such as service reliability could also be in the public interest and be helpful to consumers making choices about their ISP and home Internet plans.
- The Commission invites responses to the following questions:
- Q6. Which network performance and service quality metrics would be most useful to consumers?
- Q7. What challenges do ISPs face in providing network performance and service quality metrics?
- Q8. Should standardized information on network performance and service quality account for variations based on urban, rural, remote, and regional differences?
- Q9. If network performance and service quality are measured over a peak usage period, how should that period be defined?
- Q10. Are there approaches that have been taken in other countries that might be appropriate in Canada? If so, which country’s approach and which metric(s) do you think the Commission should pursue?
The purpose of this consultation was to find out how we can make shopping for home Internet services easier for Canadians by improving the information they receive.
This video in sign language shows the content of the Call for comments: Providing clear and comparable information on network performance section of the Notice of hearing – Making shopping for Internet easier.
Notice of Consultation CRTC 2024-318.
Consultation on making shopping for Internet easier.
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