Press Release: Digital Agenda: Consultation reveals near consensus on importance of preserving open internet

There is a near consensus on the importance of preserving the openness of the internet, according to the results of a public consultation launched on 30 June 2010 by the European Commission on the open internet and net neutrality. A total of 318 stakeholders at every level of the value chain provided input to the consultation. These included BEREC, the body of European Regulators of Electronic Communications, operators, internet service providers, Member States' authorities, consumer and civil society organisations as well as individuals. The consultation did not reveal a widespread call for further EU legislation, but there is an expectation that additional guidance may be needed in the future. Discussions will continue on 11 November 2010 at the "Net neutrality summit" at which the Commission and the European Parliament will discuss a forthcoming Commission report on net neutrality.

European Commission: Speech/10/643: Nelie Krioes, European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda, "Net-neutrality - the way forward", European Commission and European Parliament Summit on 'The Open Internet and Net Neutrality in Europe', Brussels, 11 November 2010 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/10/643&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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