Brussels, 05/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - 1 in 4 European internet users (24%) still experience blocking of internet content by their providers, according to a new Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission last week. Neelie Kroes, Commissioner for the Digital Agenda, said that this situation is intolerable and contrary to the idea of an open internet, as advocated in her proposal for a single digital market (connected continent package). Kroes stated: “When you buy an internet subscription you should get access to all content, and you should get it at the speed you have paid for… My goal is to protect consumers by guaranteeing an open internet across Europe and by giving them new rights and transparency regarding their internet connection.”
The survey found that: (1) 41% experience problems watching a video on a mobile device and 37% on the fixed internet connection at home (due to speed limitations or blocking of content); (2) 23% experience problems listening to music on their mobile device; (3) 23% also experience problems uploading content on Facebook, blogs or forums through their mobile device; (4) 19% experience problems playing online games at a desk computer; (5) 9% experience problems using internet-delivered phone calls. The survey also shows that 60% of customers do not know their internet speed and that, of those who know their speed, 26% say they do not get a speed which matches the terms of their contract. Furthermore, 40% of all respondents have also experienced an internet connection break down. (IL)