Ofcom opens debate on net neutrality

Dave Bailey, Computing, Thursday 24 June 2010 at 16:54:00

Calls for views on internet traffic management

UK communications regulator Ofcom has published a discussion paper called
Traffic Management and Net Neutrality in a move aimed at garnering
industry and public opinion on whether ISPs need to be clearer about how they
prioritise data.

The move comes ahead of the release of an official framework by the
regulator, although no indication was given as to the likely timing of this.

The pressure on Ofcom to introduce a more stringent traffic management system
for the internet has increased with the growth in smartphones and other mobile
devices hosting bandwidth-hungry applications.

Ofcom's chief executive Ed Richards said that consumer transparency would see
customers given clear and concise information on any traffic management
procedures being applied by ISPs.

He also explained that traffic management procedures could include rationing
bandwidth during periods of congestion, or throttling certain types of traffic
such as peer-to-peer (P2P) traffic, sometimes associated with illegal content
downloads.

Richards argued that getting some clarity around these issues is critical for
those operating fixed and mobile networks as well as people seeking to invest in
these areas.

He added: ?With regard to anti-competitive behaviour, there is currently no
regulation preventing one ISP from deprioritising another?s paid-for content
service. This needs to be resolved.?

This discussion paper follows an announcement from the US Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) of a three-month consultation process looking
into how that country's broadband infrastructure should be regulated.

Views on the issues raised by Ofcom's discussion paper can be posted on the
regulator's
web
site, with the link closing on 8 September.

Full story at http://www.computing.co.uk/computing/news/2265389/ofcom-opems-net-neutrality