In the last months the Net Neutrality debate came up again. The decision taken by some Telecom companies to disable the use of Skype iPhone application over their 3G networks revived the discussion.
Net Neutrality assures that the flow of information trough the communication networks is neither blocked nor degraded by communications operators. Net neutrality has guaranteed the freedom of connection with none limit of access to applications and services. Net Neutrality was one of fundamental principles of WWW.
However the rising of Internet access has faced communication operators with the necessity of increasing network capacity by investing on bandwidth. But network operators investments are not likely compensated by the application and service providers that are the parts benefited by the increased revenues got from the launching of new applications and services. Therefore, communication operators intend to create conditions limiting access by discriminating, filtering or prioritizing information passing through their networks.
Recently, the European community has discussed a set of directives regulating electronic communication networks. They are known as the “Telecom Package” and contain some directives that may compromise the Net Neutrality principle. Telecom package has been in discussion in European Parliament and much mobilization has been done around of subject aiming to protect the Net Neutrality principle. In USA, the FCC - Federal Communications Commission chair has also harmed the debate proposing include 2 new principles to the Internet principles guidelines of agency. There, Carriers are only permitted to block access to illegal services and sites. Internet providers and wireless carriers have strongly resisted net neutrality believing they have the right to control traffic on networks they own.
Net Neutrality debate will attract attention for the next few months yet. Certainly an Internet without traffic limitations is what we users would like to have. That would assure its widespread adoption and equal conditions to access information, applications and services so facilitating the competition. An open Internet does still provide the freedom of expression and communication. But carrier’s argument is valid as well. They own the communication infrastructure and should be allowed to create any kind of control in order to implement different business scenario.
I do believe that the solution to that dispute firstly should assure that the access for application and services not be restrict. But it should also allow communication providers apply different quality of services models preserving their competitiveness.
Net Neutrality assures that the flow of information trough the communication networks is neither blocked nor degraded by communications operators. Net neutrality has guaranteed the freedom of connection with none limit of access to applications and services. Net Neutrality was one of fundamental principles of WWW.
However the rising of Internet access has faced communication operators with the necessity of increasing network capacity by investing on bandwidth. But network operators investments are not likely compensated by the application and service providers that are the parts benefited by the increased revenues got from the launching of new applications and services. Therefore, communication operators intend to create conditions limiting access by discriminating, filtering or prioritizing information passing through their networks.
Recently, the European community has discussed a set of directives regulating electronic communication networks. They are known as the “Telecom Package” and contain some directives that may compromise the Net Neutrality principle. Telecom package has been in discussion in European Parliament and much mobilization has been done around of subject aiming to protect the Net Neutrality principle. In USA, the FCC - Federal Communications Commission chair has also harmed the debate proposing include 2 new principles to the Internet principles guidelines of agency. There, Carriers are only permitted to block access to illegal services and sites. Internet providers and wireless carriers have strongly resisted net neutrality believing they have the right to control traffic on networks they own.
Net Neutrality debate will attract attention for the next few months yet. Certainly an Internet without traffic limitations is what we users would like to have. That would assure its widespread adoption and equal conditions to access information, applications and services so facilitating the competition. An open Internet does still provide the freedom of expression and communication. But carrier’s argument is valid as well. They own the communication infrastructure and should be allowed to create any kind of control in order to implement different business scenario.
I do believe that the solution to that dispute firstly should assure that the access for application and services not be restrict. But it should also allow communication providers apply different quality of services models preserving their competitiveness.
