The neutrality of the network waged a new battle

The neutrality of the network waged a new battle

Operators may charge more or make it difficult for users to access certain content

   The United States has ended what was known as the Neutrality of the network, which prevented broadband providers from slowing down access to certain sites or demanding more money (from businesses and / or consumers) to make them faster. The effects of this decision could still take months to be perceived and the fight is expected long, since the decision will be appealed, also before the courts.

The Federal Communications Commission voted last Thursday to end the so-called net neutrality rules, which opens the door to very different consumer experiences on the internet. Until now, telecommunications operators could not charge more (to suppliers or consumers) for accessing certain sites. Nor could they put obstacles or obstacles in these information highways, something that could have come to an end with this decision.

    Under Barack Obama, it was regulated that Internet service providers treated traffic equally, preventing them from blocking or interfering with access to websites, applications or other specific resources.

As of now, and under these new rules, called 'Restoring Internet Freedom', the agency eliminates these restrictions, although it will require broadband companies to report if they are blocking or establishing fast routes for certain traffic.

The Trump administration defends this measure with two arguments: that it favors the competitiveness of the market, since broadband providers will have more incentives to build networks, especially in marginalized areas, and that this gives more transparency to consumers, who may decide to change provider if they do not agree with the policies of yours.

If we apply these measures in Spain, this could mean that, for example, Movistar or Vodafone would slow down access to content to Netflix or HBO to promote its own television system. Or that made it easier for the user to check their email on Microsoft servers than on those hosted on Google.

Despite the green light to this controversial decision, the entry into force of these measures could be delayed for weeks and months. In fact, it is expected that there will be several lawsuits against this decision before different courts and it is not ruled out that the Congress decides to discuss and approve that the neutrality of the law is a mandatory law.

In addition, the largest broadband companies in the United States, such as Comcast and AT & T, know that they are in the spotlight, so they have rushed to promise that consumers will not see a change in how they experience the web. In fact, they are expected to be especially careful with changes in service plans. So much so that it is not ruled out that, when they take these measures, they do so invisibly for consumers.

Therefore, it is not yet known how the elimination of net neutrality will really affect consumers, telecommunications companies, large technologies or new companies. Opponents of this Internet approval warn of a generalized blockade and strangulation. They promise a two-speed Internet, with fast payment lanes that could benefit big companies such as Netflix and Google.

The neutrality of the network has opened a new battle that can last for months.

The EU enshrines «the right of access to the Internet without discrimination»
After the approval of this measure in the United States, the European Commission (EC) has reaffirmed its commitment to preserve the neutrality of the network throughout Europe. The vice president of the EC for the Digital Single Market, Andrus Ansip, said so in his Twitter account, adding later that the "right of access to the Internet open without discrimination or interference" was enshrined in the legislation of the European Union.

However, not everyone agrees with this vision that in Europe equal treatment is respected in all places on the Internet. For example, in the market there are offers for which, paying an amount of money, you can access almost without restrictions to certain places, such as social networks.

These policies are defended by the operators, noting that there is no preferential treatment, but that the applications linked to these packages only reflect the consumer's preferences. However, for its detractors, operators use their position to favor certain services.

In addition, they consider that the fact that some services are loaded faster and others slower can make these small delays in access lethal for the adoption and constant use of certain places.

This, together with the cost of operating a new business in such an environment, could make some start-up companies unviable from the start.