Dutch Parliament Poised To Enact World's Strongest Net Neutrality Law For Mobile Service
The Dutch parliament approved a bill Wednesday forcing mobile Internet providers to let customers use Skype and other rival services on their networks without charging extra or giving preferential treatment to their own offerings. Once the bill is passed by the senate – usually a formality – the Netherlands may set an example for Europe by enacting one of the strongest "net neutrality" laws on record.
Telecommunications companies including Vodafone, T-Mobile and the former Dutch state telecom Royal KPN NV had lobbied against the bill, claiming it may result in higher prices for customers or make it impossible to offer quality guarantees for key services.
However, advocates argued it will ensure the telecoms don't abuse their control over mobile networks to stifle competition and innovation. The Dutch bill was endorsed by consumer groups, "digital freedom" activists, and is seen as benefiting big software and content companies, notably Facebook, Skype owner Microsoft, and Google.
Although net neutrality has been debated by policy makers and the industry for a decade, the key provisions of the Dutch bill took shape in just two months as politicians reacted swiftly to a public outcry over telecom KPN's pricing policies.
"When it hits the wallet, it hits home," said Daphne van der Kroft of Bits of Freedom, an organization that opposes online restrictions.
In April, KPN announced poor first quarter earnings as customers using smart phones flocked to a messaging service called "WhatsApp." WhatsApp enables phone users with a mobile Internet subscription to send messages for no additional charge, sidestepping KPN's lucrative SMS business. In response, KPN chief executive Eelco Blok announced plans to charge customers extra for using Skype and WhatsApp.
Telecommunications companies including Vodafone, T-Mobile and the former Dutch state telecom Royal KPN NV had lobbied against the bill, claiming it may result in higher prices for customers or make it impossible to offer quality guarantees for key services.
However, advocates argued it will ensure the telecoms don't abuse their control over mobile networks to stifle competition and innovation. The Dutch bill was endorsed by consumer groups, "digital freedom" activists, and is seen as benefiting big software and content companies, notably Facebook, Skype owner Microsoft, and Google.
Although net neutrality has been debated by policy makers and the industry for a decade, the key provisions of the Dutch bill took shape in just two months as politicians reacted swiftly to a public outcry over telecom KPN's pricing policies.
"When it hits the wallet, it hits home," said Daphne van der Kroft of Bits of Freedom, an organization that opposes online restrictions.
In April, KPN announced poor first quarter earnings as customers using smart phones flocked to a messaging service called "WhatsApp." WhatsApp enables phone users with a mobile Internet subscription to send messages for no additional charge, sidestepping KPN's lucrative SMS business. In response, KPN chief executive Eelco Blok announced plans to charge customers extra for using Skype and WhatsApp.
