Usage based billing already killing competition

I have been an Acanac customer nearly since they started offering service.  Outside of a disastrously poor costumer service side (which is what happens when geeks go into business) and almost zero technical support in terms of price point it is the best value you can get.  Lightening fast, unlimited service for around 400$ a year.  To put that in perspective I am paying over 700$ for an equivalent service with Telus (I had to switch when I moved).  Given their costumer and technical service Acanac was never really a threat to Bell.  The vast majority of high speed consumers are of the Mac plug and play mentality with little tolerance for doing their own troubleshooting.  So Acanac serves primarily a niche market offering no frills unlimited high speed.

The short of it is their business model is now dead.  The CRTC ruling effectively means that Bell can impose its business model on Acanac and its customers.  As per my in-box:

Dear Acanac Customer,

The CRTC just decided to allow Bell Canada to charge independent ISPs, like Acanac Inc., what’s called “usage-based billing”(UBB)on our customers.

This means that Bell will force us to pay usages fees similar to those that Bell charges to its own retail customers, when you exceed certain limits. Bell and other Big Telecom companies are obviously trying to gouge consumers, control the Internet market, and ensure that consumers continue to subscribe to their television services.

If we do not fight this you will have no choice but to pay MORE for LESS Internet. This will crush innovative services, Canada’s digital competitiveness, and your wallet.

250,000 people across Canada have already signed the petition to stop these companies from charging you more. Signing the petition automatically sends Industry Minister Tony Clement an email. This is our best chance to stop usage-based billing.

Please Sign the Stop The Meter petition at: http://stopthemeter.ca/ Please also help us spread the word to your friends and neighbors.

Please make your voices heard. If we don’t stop UBB, as of March 4th, 2011,  Acanac will make the following changes to accommodate the charges that will be FORCED on us and subsequently you, our valued customers:

Ontario Residential 5Mbps DSL Plan:
First 25GB at up-to 5Mbps. Beyond 25GB your speeds will be reduced to 100Kbps with unlimited transfer.

If you wish to remain at up-to 5Mbps, you can buy an additional 100GB of transfer for $9.95 per month. Beyond 125GB, speeds will be reduced to 100Kbps with unlimited transfer.

Quebec Residential 5Mbps DSL Plan:
First 60GB at up-to 5Mbps. Beyond 60GB, your speeds will be reduced to 100Kbps with unlimited transfer.

If you wish to remain at up-to 5Mbps, you can buy an additional 100GB of transfer for $9.95 per month. Beyond 160GB speeds will be reduced to 100Kbps with unlimited transfer.

Ontario & Quebec Residential MLPPP DSL Plans:
Same as above but multiply it by the number of lines you have. If you have 2 lines or Home 10Mbps in Ontario, you would get 50GB included and you can buy an additional 200GB for $19.90. Once you reach your allocated transfer, your speeds will be reduced to 100Kbps per line with unlimited transfer.  In this scenario you would have a total of 200Kbps after 250GB of usage.