CRTC wants info on TSP’s botnet blocking efforts

The CRTC is amending its consultation on a potential network-level framework to limit malicious botnet traffic following input from some telecommunications service providers (TSPs), which claimed they are already doing that work. In a release Tuesday, the CRTC said some interventions submitted as part of its proceeding it kicked off in January, specifically from TSPs, addressed its question of “whether it would be appropriate for the Commission to allow or mandate telecommunications service providers to block botnet traffic.” Though it noted the public record on the proceeding closed in early May, the regulator said in the release it is putting out a call for more information as it believes the public record would benefit from additional details on the “nature, scope and conditions of the blocking performed to date by TSPs.” “Interventions by TSPs suggested they already have measures in place to mitigate botnet traffic and, in some cases, remediate associated malware infections,” it said. In their interventions and replies, companies including Rogers Communications Inc., BCE Inc., and Telus Corp. said the current voluntary approach allowing service providers to keep coordinating their responses and adopting best practices for network security would be sufficient, while others such as TekSavvy Solutions Inc. raised concerns like over-blocking and the issue of net neutrality. Meanwhile, Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp. generally supported the idea in its intervention and reiterated this in its reply, saying “there is an opportunity, through CRTC involvement, for regulatory mechanisms to aid Telecommunications Service Providers in this joint quest of protecting consumers and protecting our networks.” In order to include the information it is requesting in the public record, the CRTC said it will use a request for information (RFI) process and that other parties will have a chance to make a final reply to responses to the RFI’s. The CRTC said its staff will issue requests for information by letter to the TSPs that filed interventions in the first place, and they will file their responses before a deadline to be set in the letters sent out. Only intervenors who took part in the proceeding already will be able to file a final reply to the responses, and they will be limited to their own five-page response to any new information that comes from the RFI process. Also on Tuesday, the CRTC officially changed the deadline for submitting interventions in its consultation on mobile wireless service plans “that meet the needs of Canadians with various disabilities,” to August 27, 2021. Replies will now be due by October 12. Near the end of May, the commission suspended all deadlines in the proceeding indefinitely after it got a letter from the Deafness Advocacy Association Nova Scotia, the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of the Deaf, and the Ontario Association of the Deaf -- collectively known as the DHH Coalition -- requesting that the notice of consultation and related information be made available in sign language format. At the time, the CRTC said it would issue its call for comments in American Sign Language (ASL) and Quebec Sign Language (LSQ), through videos to be posted on its website and YouTube page, “so interested sign language users could better understand exactly what feedback and information the commission requires.” The CRTC issued its call for comments on the accessibility of “Mobile wireless service plans that meet the needs of Canadians with various disabilities” in June 2020, after its report on Misleading or Aggressive Communications Retail Sales Practices, which found “a certain level of dissatisfaction and concern from Canadians with disabilities regarding the accessible wireless plans currently available.” “Many have expressed the view that accessible wireless plans are neither sufficient to meet their needs nor sufficiently promoted. Moreover, Canadians with disabilities have argued that customer service representatives are not sufficiently knowledgeable about accessible wireless plans and have raised concerns related to the availability and accuracy of information being communicated regarding the technology, speed, data allowances, pricing, and discounts,” the CRTC wrote in its original June 2020 call for public comments. — Reporting by Hannah Daley at hdaley@thewirereport.ca and editing by Michael Lee-Murphy at mleemurphy@thewirereport.ca

CRTC wants info on TSP’s botnet blocking efforts

News | 06/29/2021 3:21 pm EDT

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