Network neutrality is the view that all traffic on the internet should be “treated equally”. That means that access to all websites, web content and other internet platforms is the same for all internet users and only restricted by their hardware or software capabilities (i.e. connection speeds).
It’s a bit like having a subscription to satellite/cable television and having the same services regardless of which company you subscribe to.
One former Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative industry is on record as backing an end to net neutrality in the UK. Ed Vaizey said in November 2010 that “in order for the internet to continue as the open, innovative force for good that it has been for the last 20 years it is essential that all elements continue to prosper”. He argued that many ISPs already have some form of “traffic management” to ensure smooth running “without compromising on competition or consumer rights”.
The ISP Association welcomed this as a “lightly-regulated, market-led approach”.
There have been several debates in Westminster down the years, including one sponsored by American telecoms company AT&T. It was decided that net neutrality laws would be “extreme, unattractive and impractical”.
Even the US – where the issue is most widely debated – has what could be loosely described as net neutrality laws, or rulings in the judiciary that protect net neutrality in principle.
The EU is establishing a “framework” to protect net neutrality with pressure on the EU Commission at the end of 2011 to make new EU laws protecting net neutrality in all member states and this became law in 2015. These guidelines were carried over following Brexit and Ofcom is responsible for monitoring compliance with net neutrality by UK ISPs, but ISPs continue to argue for a review.
