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EU members reach compromise on roaming, net neutrality
2015-03-04 14:18:00| Telecompaper Headlines
(Telecompaper) The Latvian presidency of the EU has secured a compromise on roaming and net neutrality regulations among EU member states. It can now start negotiations with the European Parliament, which passed a different version of the proposal last year. While the parliament called for an end to roaming surcharges by the end of 2015, the member states adopted a more cautious proposal. This involves first an introduction of 'fair use' roaming, with a limited amount of traffic provided at national rates and then a small surcharge for any additional use. The EU would consider only from mid-2018 an end to the roaming charges. On net neutrality, the council members ceded to industry pressure to allow different levels of service quality for specific customers. Internet providers offering this type of service level agreement would still need to ensure the overall quality of internet access for all customers. Blocking or slowing down specific content or applications will be prohibited, with only a limited number of exceptions allowed for circumstances such as traffic management and network security. National regulators will enforce the net neutrality rules, based on guidance to be developed by the EU regulatory body Berec.
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Category:Telecommunications