The European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, has lashed out against the Netherlands for the unilateral introduction of net neutrality regulation.
Kroes made the comments yesterday at a conference in Brussels.
“We must act on the…
The European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, has lashed out against the Netherlands for the unilateral introduction of net neutrality regulation.
Kroes made the comments yesterday at a conference in Brussels.
“We must act on the basis of facts, not passion; acting quickly and without reflection can be counterproductive,” she said.
The Commissioner noted that an “open internet” guaranteeing access for everyone is important. But making it illegal for providers to offer internet access at different speeds “could kill innovative new offers,” Kroes said.
“Even worse, it could mean higher prices for those consumers with more limited needs who were ready to accept a cheaper, limited package.”
In late June this year the Dutch parliament had voted in favour of a net neutrality law, which, among other things, prohibits throttling or blocking data heavy internet services such as VoIP or video streaming.
Kroes said the open internet is best achieved by healthy competition, which in turn requires transparency so that customers understand their choices. Customers also need to be able to switch providers quickly and easily, she demanded.
Kroes said she had asked BEREC, the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications, to look into blocking and throttling in all EU member states, as well as into transparency and switching., and provider her with facts and figures.
BEREC itself announced, also on Monday, a consultation on draft guidelines on net neutrality and transparency. Deadline for comments on the draft paper, that was published simultaneously, is 2 November 2011.
On competition issues related to net neutrality, BEREC said it is carrying out an economic analysis of the potential and theoretical impact on market conditions of discriminatory behaviour. The analysis will look at effects on competition, innovation and consumer welfare.
