Why Discuss Network Neutrality? is a timely report on this issue published by the European Audiovisual Observatory.
The report examines the European regulatory and policy context of net neutrality. The EU’s new Telecoms Package includes the Framework Directive and the Universal Service Directive, both of which have provisions on net neutrality. Also analyzed is the European Commission’s communication on this issue published in April.
The same month the Council of Europe published a draft declaration on Internet Governance upholding the principles of Internet user choice and traffic management which must not hinder freedom of expression or access to information.
The report then goes on to look at specific national regulations concerning net neutrality in countries such as the United States where new legislation on this subject was introduced in December 2010. Also described is new legislation in the Netherlands which has gone further than current EU legal instruments to protect the liberties and freedom of choice of Internet users.