C-552
Second Session, Thirty-ninth Parliament,
56-57 Elizabeth II, 2007-2008
HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA
BILL C-552
An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act (Internet Neutrality)
first reading, May 28, 2008
Mr. Angus
392187
SUMMARY
This enactment amends the Telecommunications Act to prohibit network operators from engaging in network management practices that favour, degrade or prioritize any content, application or service transmitted over a broadband network based on its source, ownership or destination, subject to certain exceptions. This enactment also prohibits network operators from preventing a user from attaching any device to their network and requires network operators to make information about the user’s access to the Internet available to the user.
Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address:http://www.parl.gc.ca
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2nd Session, 39th Parliament,
56-57 Elizabeth II, 2007-2008
house of commons of canada
BILL C-552
An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act (Internet Neutrality)
1993, c. 38
Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
1. The Telecommunications Act is amended by adding the following after section 36:
Network Management
Network management practices
36.1 (1) 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 its source, ownership or destination.
Exceptions
(2) Nothing in subsection (1) shall be construed as limiting or restricting the right of a network operator to
(a) manage the flow of network traffic in a reasonable manner in order to relieve congestion;
(b) provide reasonable security protection for a user's computer or the network;
(c) give priority to emergency communications;
(d) offer directly to each user service at different prices based on defined levels of bandwidth or the actual quantity of data flow over a user's connection;
(e) offer directly to each user consumer protection services, including parental controls for indecency or unwanted content, software for the prevention of unsolicited commercial electronic messages, or other similar capabilities, provided that the user is given clear and accurate advance notice of their ability to refuse or subsequently disable each consumer protection service;
(f) handle breaches of the terms of service, provided the terms of service are not inconsistent with subsection (1); and
(g) prevent any violation of federal or provincial law.
Attaching a device
(3) Network operators shall not prevent or obstruct a user from attaching any device to their network, provided the device does not physically damage the network or substantially degrade the use of the network by other subscribers.
Information available to user
(4) Network operators shall make available to each user information about the user’s access to the Internet, including the speed, limitations, and network management practices of the user's broadband service at any given time.
Meaning of “network operator”
(5) For the purposes of this section, “network operator” means a person who operates or provides access to telecommunications services.
Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of CommonsAvailable from:Publishing and Depository ServicesPublic Works and Government Services Canada