"The Clone writes to the CRTC"


   Saturday, August 16, 2003

   The Clone wrote a letter to the CRTC as suggested by his very good friend
   Treephrog, who recently published "The CRTC Really Does Care About You".

   http://www.hackcanada.com/canadian/phreaking/crtc_mailout.txt

   Please read Treephrog's article before reading my e-mail below. Thanks.


   --


    Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2003 01:28:47 -0600
    From: The Clone <theclone@hackcanada.com>
    To: procedure@crtc.gc.ca
    Subject: Suggestions...


   The CRTC wants to know which of your rights as a telephone user you
   believe should be included in the consumers' bill of rights. Well,
   then I'll suggestion something:


1. Don't make scanning for phone numbers without the intention to
   communicate illegal. I happen to think scanning numbers with the
   intention of learning what exists in the phone system is the POTS
   equivalent of searching the Internet for web-pages. There is a lot
   out there so why shouldn't consumers have the right to scan? Tele-
   marketing companies have the right to search for fax machines to
   send their annoying shit - citizens should have the same equal rights.

2. Require all telephone companies to give customers the names and telephone
   numbers of people prank calling them. I know that Telus and Bell Canada
   will *NOT* disclose the information of a person who has been harrassing
   you. However CLEC's like AT&T Canada will disclose this information, and
   so will wireless carriers such as Fido (Microcell). If you force companies
   to disclose this information to customers, then the idiots abusing the
   phone system will think twice about pulling shit like that again.

3. Voice Over Internet Protocol. Oh my. It spells the end. Stay away from
   VOIP until it at least grows and matures. And if the CRTC feels it needs
   to start regulating Canadian VOIP carriers, then please only act only as
   governing body that makes sure these companies aren't ripping off customers,
   make sure they provide quality service (line quality and customer service),
   and are allowing other VOIP companies to compete for reasonable market share!

   And please please please, do not try and make it illegal for a customer to
   choose to use VOIP services with an American company. There is talk amongst
   my colleagues and I that the CRTC believes if a Canadian citizen uses VOIP
   from an American company, that he/she is engaging in grey-area and potential
   "illegal" activity. Pardon me, but the world is changing. POTS copper is dying
   and Internet technology is the future for voice communication. Perhaps instead
   of trying to make it outright illegal for a Canadian citizen to get VOIP services
   from the United States, work with existing Canadian VOIP carriers in providing
   incentives (i.e. discount long distance rates) for customers who DO stay with
   homegrown the VOIP companies.


   Thank you for your time. I hope you consider my suggestions for the Consumers
   Bill of Rights.

   Sincerely,

   The Clone (Telecom Extraordinaire and Ninja)



   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------


        And the cold, heartless auto-response:


	From: Procedure <procedure@crtc.gc.ca>
	To: The Clone <theclone@hackcanada.com>
	Subject: RE: Suggestions...
	Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2003 03:32:06 -0400

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