The European Parliament announced that it has adopted “net neutrality” law that ensures telecom operators are “barred from blocking or slowing down selected services for economic or other reasons.” The members of the Parliament have also voted to end mobile phone roaming fees by 2016.
The Parliament said that Telecoms and ISPs will be “barred form blocking or slowing down selected services for economic or other reasons.” This decision could prevent Internet operators from charging certain Internet companies extra fees for bandwidth-intensive services including video and music streaming.
Despite the Parliament’s vote, the legislation could still change, as it is yet to be approved by the Council of the European Union. The decision is expected to come in October.
Meanwhile, Telecom operators are still expected to lobby against the parliament’s “net neutrality” law until the decision is final. The networks claim charging for different services and speeds would help fund network upgrades.
As a part of the approved telecommunications law package, “roaming” charges that mobile phone users pay when travelling in other countries will be banned within the European Union by 2016.
“This vote is the EU delivering for citizens. This is what the EU is all about – getting rid of barriers to make life easier and less expensive,” Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice President, said.
“Nearly all of us depend on mobile and internet connections as part of our daily lives. We should know what we are buying, we should not be ripped-off, and we should have the opportunity to change our mind. Companies should have the chance to serve all of us, and this regulation makes it easier for them to do that. It’s win-win.”
Kroes had promised an end to roaming charges as early as 2010 and with the latest vote it seems that EU is just one step away from delivering that promise.
“Beyond the highly visible barrier of roaming we are now close to removing many other barriers so Europeans can enjoy open, seamless communications wherever they are.”
