The CRTC has put the brakes on Internet throttling, laying down new guidelines for Internet service providers that allow the controversial practice only as ‘a last resort.’ The federal regulator is also calling for greater transparency from ISPs, requiring them to provide more information about their services to consumers.

‘More and more, the Internet is serving as the backbone for communication, commerce, governance, health, education and entertainment,’ said CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein in the ruling, adding that the new rules will foster ‘the utmost freedom to innovate.’

The move follows a round of hearings earlier this year, which saw telephone and cable companies at odds with content creators and Internet activists over traffic management or ‘throttling’ – the degree to which ISPs limit or grant access to certain types of Internet traffic. ISPs maintained that throttling is necessary to keep Internet traffic moving. Others argued it gives those companies an unfair advantage over other media outlets and stifles the free flow of information that is the heart of the Internet.

‘Technical means to manage traffic, such as traffic shaping, should only be employed as a last resort,’ said the commission, adding that ISPs should favor ‘economic measures.’

ISPs will be required to inform customers at least 30 days before a traffic management practice takes effect, and must describe how the practice will affect their customers’ service. Wholesale customers must be given at least 60 days notice.

The move brought a cheer from the CFTPA, one of the many groups that opposed throttling. The CRTC’s new direction will help producers reach Internet audiences ‘without having to go through ISP gatekeepers.’

‘The new policy goes a long way in leveling the content distribution playing field,’ said the group.