When it comes to net neutrality, the Nordic model is the best approach

[Commentary] Network neutrality is a global debate. A number of countries have implemented laws or are in the process of doing so. Each country defines the issue differently and thus creates laws with different provisions.

This creates a problem of international harmonization for the Internet, which is inherently global. Net neutrality rules are a difficult compromise between consumer protection and increased governmental control of the Internet, but the multi-stakeholder model strikes a balance.

Norway’s model for net neutrality, established in February 2009, is the longest running regime of that type in the world. No violations of net neutrality have been documented under the model. Swedish regulators observed at a recent event that the model is working, and ISPs are actually becoming more transparent.

The Nordic model preserves a role for the regulator to frame the discussion while at the same time encouraging participation by operators, content/application providers, and consumers. In this way, the regulator is less of a warden and more of a mediator.

Nordic regulators have agreed to cooperate on net neutrality. Should an EU law come to pass, it would supersede the enlightened approach taken by the Nordic countries. The better outcome would be to build on the efforts of the Nordic regulators, and make their model the global standard.

[Layton studies Internet economics at the Center for Communication, Media, and Information Technologies (CMI) at Aalborg University in Copenhagen]