Debate on Practice of Internet Traffic Management
Ofcom have published a discussion paper on the practice of internet traffic management – a technique used by network operators and internet service providers (ISPs) to stem or accelerate the flow of traffic over the web. They plan to open a debate on net neutrality. Net neutrality is a concept based on the internet being a level playing field for internet traffic.
The proposed practice may allow network operators and ISPs to handle traffic more efficiently, to prioritise traffic by type, to guarantee bandwidth or to block or degrade the quality of certain content. However, it has also led to concerns that network operators and ISPs could engage in anti-competitive behaviour and suppress the quality of content from provider services.
Ofcom has some power in this area by requiring suppliers to be transparent about their traffic management practices. These will eventually be strengthened by the amended EU rules that will be transposed into UK law in 2011. The purpose of the paper is to open up a discussion on how these existing and future powers might be used to address traffic management concerns and what stance Ofcom should take on any potential anti-competitive discrimination.
Ofcom is seeking preliminary views on the issues raised in its discussion paper with responses closing in September this year. It will also conduct a series of discussions with industry, citizen and consumer groups over the summer.
The discussion paper can be found here.
Newsletter
