Brussels, 23/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - As part of its commitment to preserve the “open and neutral character” of the internet, the European Commission launched a public consultation on Monday 23 July seeking answers to questions on transparency, switching and certain aspects of internet traffic management.
In a press release, the Commission says that “these questions have emerged as key issues in the 'net neutrality' debate that has taken place in Europe over the past years, including the recent findings of the Body of European Regulators of European Communications (BEREC)”.
Input is sought from all interested public and private parties, including fixed and mobile internet service providers, internet content and application providers (including comparison websites), equipment manufacturers, transit providers, investors, public authorities, consumers and their associations. The responses to this consultation will be crucial input for the Commission's planned recommendations announced by European Digital Strategy Commissioner Neelie Kroes on 29 May 2012.
The Commission is seeking views, in particular, on: - internet traffic management, including congestion management, managed services and privacy issues; - transparency, in particular regarding the actual internet performance (speed and quality) and restrictions of internet access products; - the ease with which consumers can switch operators; - internet interconnection issues between network operators.
Responses to the public consultation should be sent before 15 October 2012. The consultation document and additional information are available at: http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/digital-agenda/actions/oit-consultation/index_en.htm (OL/transl.rt)