EU to probe Internet providers' traffic management

[April 19, 2011]  BRUSSELS (AP) -- The European Union said Tuesday it has asked the bloc's 27 member countries to probe whether Internet providers block or slow down services in a way that harms consumers.

The investigation targets both fixed and mobile Internet providers and the results will be published by the end of the year.

If national telecommunications regulators find that providers are not transparent enough about how they manage their services or make it too difficult for users to switch, the European Commission, the EU's executive, may propose new legislation to protect the principle of "net neutrality."

Advocates of net neutrality say that all online services should be treated equally to foster competition and innovation. Internet providers, meanwhile, argue that they have to manage traffic to ensure bandwidth-hungry services like video streaming or voice-calling function properly.

Neelie Kroes, the EU's commissioner for the digital agenda, has so far taken a relatively business-friendly approach to net neutrality.

In its report Tuesday, the Commission says "it is widely accepted" that providers have to slow down some services to allow others to work.

"A consumer's experience is not affected if an email reaches him a few seconds after it has been sent, whereas a similar delay to a voice communication would cause it to be significantly degraded, if not rendered entirely useless," the Commission said.

Kroes has also said that as long as there is enough competition among Internet providers, users can vote with their feet and make sure they get the service they want.

For instance, if one mobile-Internet provider blocks or charges extra for using a calling application like Skype -- as is the case in Austria, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Romania -- it should be easy for consumers to switch, the Commission said.

However, Tuesday's report indicates there are concerns that some providers block or slow down services to harm competitors, such as rival video-streaming operators.

The Commission also wants to find out if rules requiring providers to be transparent about the services they offer, such as downloading speeds, as well as allowing users to switch operators within one working day while keeping their number, are effectively implemented.

"If I am not satisfied, I will not hesitate to come up with more stringent measures, which may take the form of guidance or even general legislative measures to achieve the competition and choice consumers deserve," Kroes said. "If this proves to be insufficient, I am ready to prohibit the blocking of lawful services or applications."

[Associated Press; By GABRIELE STEINHAUSER]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.