Net neutrality

15.12.2017

Question for written answer E-007796-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Patrizia Toia (S&D)

Regulation (EU) 2015/2120 laying down measures concerning open Internet access fixes binding rules on net neutrality in EU legislation and establishes, for the first time in the European Union, the principle of non-discriminatory management of traffic.

In this regulation, the EU safeguards the right of end-users to access and distribute information and content, to use and provide applications and services, and to use terminal equipment of their choice, irrespective of the end-user’s location or the location, origin or destination of the information, content, application or service, via their Internet access service.

On 14 December 2017 the Republican-led US Federal Communications Commission voted to approve a controversial plan to repeal net neutrality protections.

What is the Commission’s opinion of this decision by the US Federal Commission, given that the Internet can be considered a public service and a right to which citizens are entitled?

How does it plan to defend the rights of EU citizens and companies with regard to the stance taken by the United States?