Forget fast lanes. The real threat for network neutrality is zero-rated content

[Commentary] The network neutrality provisions adopted by the European Parliament ruled that specialized services like “fast lanes” can’t be used by telcos to the detriment of the availability or quality of Internet access services. On the other side of the Atlantic, Americans are less fortunate. The Federal Communications Commission said that it would propose new rules that allow companies like Disney, Google or Netflix to pay Internet service providers like Comcast and Verizon for special, faster lanes to send video and other content to their customers. This is the price the US pays for delegating such crucial policy decisions to an unelected ex-lobbyist rather than delegating to Congress.

Meanwhile, the open internet isn’t safe yet in Europe: The Council hasn’t spoken and the devil is in the details. According to Digital Fuel Monitor data, eight incumbent telcos are sabotaging net neutrality with an orchestrated launch of “zero-rated” apps over their mobile networks in nine European Union markets. This means they’re favoring their own or their over-the-top partners’ apps by “zero-rating” the data volume -- not counting it against the end user’s data volume allowance. Zero-rated mobile traffic doesn’t need to be delivered at higher speeds and with a higher quality of service, nor does it need to be prioritized. The European Parliament must, on its second reading, adopt provisions that explicitly prohibit the practice. The U.S. should not go down the slippery road and allow the creation of a two-tier internet. Like the EU, it should ensure that fast lanes are not used to the detriment of open internet access, and should ban zero-rating.

[Drossos is a managing partner at Rewheel]