Canada is socialist and forward thinking in many ways that have absolutely nothing to do with the irresponsible lack of telco competition or regulation…

Regulators to Bell Canada: Throttle away! (at least for now)

The CRTC held that the Canadian Association of Internet Providers failed to meet the threshold for interim relief. In particular, they were not able to demonstrate that they would suffer irreparable harm should Bell Canada be allowed to continue its traffic throttling while the investigation moves forward.

Case in point:

Zune: Microsoft Developing Copyright Filter for Zune, Will Block Pirated Content

“In the long term, the consumer wants there to be quality premium-produced content, and in order for that to continue to be a viable business, there needs to be significant protection around it.” This is the same NBC that was working with AT&T to build a network-wide dragnet for pirated content, so color us totally not surprised. Just don’t know why Microsoft would agree to this and give people a reason to avoid Zunes (whether it’s a legitimate one or not), when they’re already way behind the iPod (which told NBC to take a flying hoo-ha).

Awesome article. Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Why Apple is more expensive than Amazon

Buy what you like, where you like. But remember why things are the way they are. Apple is more expensive than Amazon because the labels want you listening to music on a Zune.

We lack future-thinking in telecommunications — including internet infrastructure of all types. Telco oligopolies are pretty much allowed to charge amongst the highest prices in the developed world for substandard service and increase profits by failing to re-invest all but the barest minimum back into the infrastructure.

That Canada doesn’t have Scandinavian or Japanese/Korean level networks should be something our government and the telcos feel embarrassed enough to want to change. Absent that, they should feel such overwhelming consumer/electoral pressure that they’re forced to change.

Digg - Oh, Canada: My Home and iPhone-less Land

Gawd! Canada is a great country. Has so many positives. But when it comes to the telco’s, TV providers, ISP’s or anything to do with broadcasting information, it just plain SUCKS.

Digg - Oh, Canada: My Home and iPhone-less Land

While we Canadians can buy every other bit of gear Apple produces, we get absolutely no iPhone love. Why is that exactly? Rogers GSM Monopoly? Exorbitant data rates? Comcasts trademark dispute? Apples lack of urgency? Read on…