EU on Net Neutrality: Wait and See

As the debate over net neutrality heats up in the United States, the European Commission is taking a much more relaxed approach to legislation that would regulate the openness of the Internet.

A recent review of network neutrality in the EU sided with an existing telecommunications law, in lieu of drafting new legislation to specifically protect competition and innovation on the web. According to Neelie Kroes, the European commissioner responsible for new regulation:

"We have to avoid regulation which might deter investment and an efficient use of the available resources."

The Commission stance draws from an existing 2009 revision to the main European telecommunications law, which prevents operators from blocking or slowing specific Internet services or web sites.

The Communications Workers of America supports an open Internet that prohibits ISPs from blocking or degrading access to any Internet content, services, or applications, and protects against unjust or unreasonable discrimination, subject to reasonable network management.

No Changes Now in Rules for Web Access in Europe (New York Times)