TACD calls for Net Neutrality

The TransAtlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) has issued a resolution calling on EU and US Governments to secure that Internet users have the freedom to access the content, services, applications and devices of their choice.

Net neutrality is a precondition for the healthy administration and development of the Internet, allowing competition, innovation and enhanced access to knowledge and freedom of speech.

Internet remains an increasingly important resource to individuals, as both consumers and citizens. Today, the Internet provides the main line of communication with any public or private entity, as well as social interaction.

It must be up to individual broadband customers to decide how to use their bandwidth. The quality of the content must not be affected by the Internet service provider’s agreements, preferences, financial interests or other concerns.

With Internet service providers offering their own content and services in competition with other content providers, it is of paramount importance to have a set of basic rules that ensure equal access and quality of service.

For instance, an Internet service provider that also supplies telephony might degrade or block the services of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider.

Network neutrality is at the same time a safeguard for further innovation and economic growth. Services and applications can only rely upon the current best-efforts architecture of the Internet as long as providers do not unfairly discriminate against particular applications, services, protocols, or content.

In a neutral network, consumers:

1. are entitled to an Internet connection of the speed and reliability advertised to them.

2. are entitled to an Internet connection that enables them to
- send and receive content of their choice
- use services and run applications of their choice
- connect hardware and use software of their choice that do not harm the
network.

3. are entitled to an Internet connection that is free from discrimination with regard to
type of application, service, or content or based on sender or receiver address.

4. are entitled to competition among network, application, service, and content providers

5. are entitled to know what network management practices are deployed by their
network providers

Read the full version of the resolution

Contact:

Thomas Nortvedt, Assistant Director, Consumer Council of Norway: +47 936 20 450

About TACD

TACD is a forum of US and EU consumer organisations which develops and agrees on joint consumer policy recommendations to the US government and European Union to promote the consumer interest in EU and US policy making. For further information, please visit www.tacd.org.