Google and Netflix uphold ‘net neutrality’ after securing ban on high bandwidth charges
Google and Netflix have scored a significant victory in their battle to uphold the principle of net neutrality after MEP’s signed a late amendment to a package of telecoms reforms which would ban telecoms network operators from levying extra charges on high bandwidth data such as video.
This preserves the existing structure of the web which allows everyone access to everything at equal cost, without tiering the various types of data at different rates.
Less happy at this outcome are the network operators themselves with the likes of Vodafone arguing that they should be able to recoup more of the costs they incur providing capacity from the internet companies who benefit the most.
The European tussle mirrors that which is taking place in the US where Netflix has reluctantly agreed to stump up recompense to AT&T for investing in infrastructure which enables subscribers to download video.