Proposals on European net neutrality open ‘two-speed’ Internet

European Internet providers would be allowed to profit from “two-speed” data services under proposals being considered in Brussels, opening a transatlantic divide on telecommunications regulation after the US banned similar tactics on Feb 26. European Union member states are proposing rules that would establish a principle of net neutrality but still allow telecommunications groups to manage the flow of Internet traffic to ensure the network worked efficiently.

They will also be able to agree deals with corporate and individual customers to provide faster Internet services -- although the proposals make clear that these would not be allowed to impair the wider working of the Internet in any “material manner”. The European clauses to allow traffic management will be broadly welcomed by network operators but will provoke anger among campaigners for a fully open Internet, and are likely to face opposition from more liberal members of the European Parliament. The proposals, made by the Latvian presidency of the European Council, are in stark contrast to the stance taken by the Federal Communications Commission, the US telecommunications watchdog, which has prohibited broadband networks from charging differential fees depending on the content that is transmitted.