European Consumers, Businesses, Civil Society Call on European Telecoms Ministers to Support Strong Net Neutrality Rules in The EU

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT), along with other civil liberties organizations and technology associations, has called on EU telecommunications ministers to enact strong European Union-wide net neutrality rules in the proposed telecommunications single market regulation.

In a letter sent to the ministers, the coalition said that strong net neutrality rules “will ensure that users, not Internet access providers, decide what applications and content they use, and enable entrepreneurs to market their services across the Union.” The coalition further called for “a framework which enables the EU to take up its role as a champion of the open Internet.”

“The telecommunications ministers have an opportunity to demonstrate that Europe is committed to a fair, innovative, and open Internet that benefits all. Strong net neutrality rules will ensure that consumers have unfettered access to the Internet, and that small businesses compete on an equal playing field with large corporations. This is the only way to achieve a fully connected Europe,” said Jens-Henrik Jeppesen, CDT Director for European Affairs.

On 2-3 October 2014, the ministers will meet to discuss the proposed Telecommunications Single Market Regulation. The coalition called for inclusion of a clear non-discrimination principle for Internet access providers. They also stated that sound rules should allow the providers to offer non-discriminatory “specialised” services that do not negatively impact other means of general Internet access.

The full letter, along with a list of the full coalition members, is available here.