Net Neutrality

Net neutrality is a founding principle of the Internet which guarantees that telecoms operators do not discriminate their users' communications and remain mere transmitters of information. It ensures that all users, whatever their resources, access the same and whole network. But this principle is now undermined as operators develop business models restricting access to the Internet, by throttling or blocking access to specific online content, services or applications (protocols, websites, etc.), or limiting their users' ability to publish information.

In the face of such attempts to undermine the decentralized architecture of the Internet, and the freedom of communication and innovation it enables, lawmakers must guarantee Net neutrality. Internet access providers must be sanctioned if they discriminate Internet communications, be it according to the source, the recipient, or the nature of the information being transmitted. Failing this, only users able to pay for privileged access will enjoy the network's full capabilities.

Quad'news

Press review

Timeline

Future

  • 2013 - EU Commission and BEREC to present guidelines on transparency, quality of service and competition.

Past

  • 12 February 2013 - Parliamentary question to the EU Commission on Net neutrality and Commissioner Kroes' statements
  • 3-14 December 2012 - World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) in Dubai for a review of the ITRs
  • May 29th, 2012 - EU telecoms regulators releases final report on Net Neutrality violations across Europe. La Quadrature du Net responded to the BEREC consultation, based on the findings of the RespectMyNet platform.
  • December 13th, 2011 - EU Members States adopts conclusions stressing the need to "preserve the open and neutral character of the Internet and consider net neutrality as a policy objective"
  • November 17th, 2011 - The EU Parliament adopts a resolution calling on the Commission to swiftly assess the need for further regulation
  • October 7th, 2011 - In a ground-breaking opinion on Net neutrality, the European Data Protection Supervisor stresses that restrictions to Internet access inevitably harm privacy
  • September 22nd, 2011 - La Quadrature and Bits of Freedom release RespectMyNet.eu, a citizen reporting platform for Net neutrality violations in the EU
  • April 19th, 2011 - The Commission releases a very disappointing report on Net neutrality.
  • April 13th, 2011 - French MEPs releases a encouraging report, calling for the legislative protection of Net neutrality.
  • September 30th, 2010 - Deadline for the European Commission's public consultation on Net Neutrality

LQDN on Net neutrality at EU Commission

Jérémie Zimmermann's intervention at the EU Commission Summit about Net Neutrality.

Analysis

Documents of reference

Quote

We stand for a single internet where all of humanity has equal access to knowledge and ideas. And we recognize that the world’s information infrastructure will become what we and others make of it. Now, this challenge may be new, but our responsibility to help ensure the free exchange of ideas goes back to the birth of our republic.

Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State - Remarks on Internet freedom, Jan 21st, 2010.