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Roaming charge and net neutrality rules set for autumn completion


Reforms to the roaming charges that mobile network operators (MNOs) can charge in the EU for the use of data services abroad and new 'net neutrality' rules are set to be finalised this autumn, EU law makers have confirmed.

The Council of Ministers said that its Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) has given its backing to an informal agreement on the reforms that was struck between the Council and European Parliament last week.

After "technical finalisation", the text (47-page / 460KB PDF) will be "formally approved" by both the Council and the Parliament, with the Council vote expected this autumn, it said.

The reforms, once introduced, would mean that MNOs will be banned from imposing roaming charges from 15 June 2017 except where consumers exceed a "fair use" cap on the use of mobile data services abroad.

The net neutrality rules would, from 30 April 2016, lay out strict conditions on when internet service providers (ISPs) could block or throttle the delivery of content requested by users of their network. It would prevent "paid prioritisation" of content delivery online.

Andrus Ansip, EU digital commissioner, said: "This is vital for online users and businesses. It makes sure that Europeans have access to the online content and services they want, without any discrimination or interference - like blocking or slowing down - by internet access providers. Many people have complained about these practices, particularly with video streaming and internet telephony."

"Until now, there have been no clear EU-wide rules on net neutrality, which leaves most people with no legal protection of their right to access the open internet. Some EU countries have national laws on net neutrality. Others do not. If there are no rules, we are left with a messy situation where 'anything goes'. Different national rules cause the [digital single market] to become splintered, which is why it is so important that we now have now a common set of rules in the EU," he said.

Under the planned new net neutrality regime, ISPs will be able to agree deals to deliver services of enhanced speed and quality with content providers in some cases, provided that it has no impact on "the open internet".

"[The rules] also address specialised services that need a higher transmission quality than that guaranteed for everyone," Ansip said. "Take a healthcare service like telesurgery, which has to be extremely fast and precise to work properly and safely. National regulators will allow these specialised and innovative services under strict conditions: above all, they should not harm the quality of the open internet (there should be enough capacity) and higher quality should be necessary for them."

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