Net neutrality: issue or not?

There was a mixed response to net neutrality – the idea that all legal traffic on the internet should be treated equally and that ISPs should be unable to segregate or discriminate, whether in an attempt to stifle competition, or block certain types of traffic – at this morning’s Westminster eForum.

Charles Arthur, technology editor at the Guardian, said the issue is being “ignored” by the mobile industry. Another panellist said competition law may be required “to step in” at some stage.

However, the general view was that as spectrum continues to be scarce (the digital TV switchover is expected to free up “lots of spectrum”), alternative charging models are necessary to ensure greater bandwidth, for example, for users wanting to watch online video without disruption.

The panel said it is happening already – referring to BT’s service Content Connect – and as long as operators offer content providers “added value capabilities” and they remain transparent, it is “not a problem”.

The argument is that content providers “do not need to use [these services]”, however, others say the idea restricts the ‘openness’ of the internet and only benefits bigger content providers with money to pay for services offering extra bandwidth.

It was also unclear whether the charges incurred by content providers will lead to reduced data charges for consumers. It was suggested that mobile internet costs can be shared between both content providers and customers.

It is “no different to the pricing models for traditional media such as newspapers, which are part advertiser-funded,” one panellist said.