Net Neutrality as A Regulatory Principle Ensuring Fair Competition and Open Access

Traffic management on the Internet might lead to discriminatory practices, for network operators may block or degrade services, which lawfully offered, for the reason that these services compete with their own services. Such practices jeopardize the open character of the Internet and stifle competition on the Net. In the EU, Article 8 (4) (g) of Directive 2002/21/EC requires national regulatory authorities to promote the ability of end-users to access and distribute information or run applications and services of their choice. Another approach to this issue would be to restrict traffic management techniques. The policy options addressing the issue of Network Neutrality are discussed in this presentation in the 2012 Conference on Information Law and Ethics.

To be presented at: 5th International Conference on Information Law