Europe to consult public on net neutrality

BRUSSELS – Europe’s top law-makers on Monday launched a public consultation on how to keep the Internet open and neutral.

The European Commission has asked for feedback on issues such as transparency, switching and Internet traffic management.

In May a report from BEREC (the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications) on traffic management showed that several fixed and mobile network and service operators apply usage restrictions (blocking or slowing down certain services) affecting a significant number of subscribers in Europe.

“Today there is a lack of effective consumer choice when it comes to Internet offers. I will use this consultation to help prepare recommendations that will generate more real choices and end the net neutrality waiting game in Europe. Input from this consultation will help turn BEREC’s findings into practical recommendations,” said Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes in a statement.

Submissions to the public consultation can be made online before Oct. 15.

The responses will inform Commission guidelines that are due to be published next year.

 

In Canada, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has set out a policy on traffic management. In 2009 it said wired carriers can’t unjustly discriminate or give preference to content providers or users, and a year later said wireless carriers have to follow the same rules.

 

Earlier this year Rogers Communications faced complaints that it was slowing traffic of online gamers. The admitted it was slowing non-time sensitive traffic, saying it was complying with the CRTC policy. However, it agreed to stop.