MONTREAL, April 10 /CNW Telbec/ - The Quebec Coalition of ISPs (QCISP) and British Columbia coalition Open Source Solutions (OSS) today announced a strategic alliance to enhance the coordination of actions to protect consumer's choice and independent Internet service providers in Canada. "This national project will provide a solid basis as we work forward leveling the playing field for all Internet Service Providers across Canada. Rather than working separately and voicing similar issues, we are happy to work with our industry peers from the East to improve our visibility and viability", said Chris Allen, Director of Internet Services for ABC Communications and spokesperson for Open Source Solutions. "The Internet industry's future and consumer's options for tomorrow are being established very quickly. Consumers and the industry at large will benefit by ensuring we develop a sustainable competitive market environment across Canada", said Sophie LDeger, spokesperson for the Coalition, COO of Uniserve Communications Corporation and President of Inter.net Canada. The QCISP and OSS will jointly be supporting each other's initiatives on a national platform. This alliance will streamline the efforts of regional actions, such as the QCISP's formal complaint recently filed with the CRTC to protect independent providers in Eastern Canada against margin squeezes and restricted access to products. The CRTC is a national governing body and it is extremely important to present them with issues they can address at a national level. Open Source Solutions is a group of 9 independent ISPs from BC who came together to encourage the provisioning of an innovative and affordable telecommunications infrastructure within B.C. The Quebec Coalition of ISPs (QCISP) represents 15 independent Internet Service providers across Quebec advocating for fair practices in the Internet wholesale industry. Together the Coalitions represent over 200 000 consumers across Canada. About the Quebec Coalition of ISPs The Quebec Coalition of Internet Service Providers, a group formed of 15 Quebec ISPs, has come together to defend the best interests of consumers and smaller Internet service providers. The Coalition believes consumers are better served in a market promoting fair competition. The Coalition's mandate, therefore, is to advocate for CRTC regulations to end the problems encountered by unsustainable competition in the Internet and telecommunications market today, as well as to raise public awareness on issues ultimately affecting us all. For more information about the Coalition of Quebec Internet Service Providers, please visit www.quebecispcoalition.ca. About Open Source Solutions Open Source Solutions was formed in 1996 to provide a method for regional ISP's to tender on Government of British Columbia data circuits. These ISP's were successful in their efforts and today OSS's members now provide more than $1 Million of data circuits annually to the provincial government. This includes data services to over 80 B.C. communities, including high-speed data connectivity to School Districts, colleges and provincial government ministries. Its 9 members represent diverse regions of British Columbia and have been active in petitioning for fairer access and pricing for its membership and greater choice for the consumer. For more information on Open Source Solutions please see www.opensourcesolutions.ca. The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.