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European Parliament passes net neutrality law

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Re: European Parliament passes net neutrality law

#31

Post by hendrik-xdest »

I wouldn't give too much on this just yet. From the information in the article I can't tell if the word "strong" is correct for what was passed today.

If anything, an indicator that Neelie Kroes is happy with the result might point to a weak law that won't help net neutrality at all. We might not have the "Specialised services" part in there anymore. Yet, let's wait until the dust settles and some people have read the complete text before we celebrate.

Also, as we speak, the text that didn't make it might already have been inserted in the US-EU trade agreement that is discussed behind closed doors at the moment. Wouldn't be the first time that the same words were dismissed first and than added in a different law. ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) was dismissed and then added to a treaty between the EU and Canada.

Re: European Parliament passes net neutrality law

#32

Post by Ygg2 »

mercurial wrote: post #27
mattmanser wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're thinking of the Cold War, the end of Colonialism and Nuclear Bombs and confusing it with something the EU did.

Well, he's technically right. The last European wars countries currently in the EU were involved in are the post-Yugoslavia wars (is there a name for them?). Prior to this, we have course the two world wars as the most well-known example of a cycle of destruction and butchery Europeans have displayed a particular taste for, often with exceptionally brutal results (eg, the Thirty Years' War).

    > post-Yugoslavia wars (is there a name for them?)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yugoslav_Wars

Also wasn't there Hundred Year War, or are we sticking to modern ages?

Re: European Parliament passes net neutrality law

#33

Post by nknighthb »

timthorn wrote: post #7

From first reading, this makes it look as if ISPs will be unable to offer eg elevated weighting to specific VoIP traffic unless that's offered by the ISP themselves. I want my VoIP trunks to my exchange to have better QoS than my Skype chats. I'm not convinced this is a good thing.

Skype is VoIP traffic, and it should have equal priority with all other VoIP traffic.

Re: European Parliament passes net neutrality law

#34

Post by mercurial »

Ygg2 wrote: post #32
mercurial wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, he's technically right. The last European wars countries currently in the EU were involved in are the post-Yugoslavia wars (is there a name for them?). Prior to this, we have course the two world wars as the most well-known example of a cycle of destruction and butchery Europeans have displayed a particular taste for, often with exceptionally brutal results (eg, the Thirty Years' War).

> post-Yugoslavia wars (is there a name for them?) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yugoslav_Wars Also wasn't there Hundred Year War, or are we sticking to modern ages?

I was specifically referring to the "couple of decades ago" part. Of course, there is a long list of power struggles, for instance in Italy, succession wars and the like.

Re: European Parliament passes net neutrality law

#35

Post by vixen99 »

Roaming charges: I predict the telecomms will be increasing their general charges to make good losses on roaming.

"Infrastructure and spectrum are expensive, and these costs need to be recouped somehow. Right now, the mobile operators are a bit stuck into low domestic data prices. So the money has to be clawed back from roaming customers instead".

The reversal of this policy will mean that the non-traveling public will subsidize travelers. Great for those voting and attending the EU Parliament among others. Not so hot for the rest.

Re: European Parliament passes net neutrality law

#36

Post by mercurial »

hendrik-xdest wrote: post #31

I wouldn't give too much on this just yet. From the information in the article I can't tell if the word "strong" is correct for what was passed today. If anything, an indicator that Neelie Kroes is happy with the result might point to a weak law that won't help net neutrality at all. We might not have the "Specialised services" part in there anymore. Yet, let's wait until the dust settles and some people have read th…

> If anything, an indicator that Neelie Kroes is happy with the result might point to a weak law that won't help net neutrality at all.

At this point she has no choice. She can't lament the passing of a law she initiated herself. I wouldn't put too much stock into it.

> Also, as we speak, the text that didn't make it might already have been inserted in the US-EU trade agreement that is discussed behind closed doors at the moment.

Obviously, the industry is not going to give up without a fight. The price of net neutrality is eternal vigilance and all that.

Re: European Parliament passes net neutrality law

#38

Post by kzrdude »

mercurial wrote: post #28
kzrdude wrote: post #25

I'm so happy how Andersdotter/@teirdes has arrived in Brussels. She is already "e-communications" spokesperson for the Greens/EFA group in the EP: http://www.greens-efa.eu/electronic-communications-12163.htm... and I believe that they have a very powerful collaboration on privacy and other pirate issues

I actually met her last year at a conference. Very intelligent and well-spoken.

Yeah, it's wonderful, a young person talking about internet issues I care about, just listen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiNH3MCFkBg

Right now I'm of course nervous for the election, and I hope that she will keep her mandate.

She's clearly got a visionary mind, and uses every opportunity to stress the need for evidence-based policy.

Re: European Parliament passes net neutrality law

#39

Post by mercurial »

kzrdude wrote: post #38
mercurial wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I actually met her last year at a conference. Very intelligent and well-spoken.

Yeah, it's wonderful, a young person talking about internet issues I care about, just listen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiNH3MCFkBg Right now I'm of course nervous for the election, and I hope that she will keep her mandate. She's clearly got a visionary mind, and uses every opportunity to stress the need for evidence-based policy.

I'd be happy to give her my vote, but I'm in the wrong country.

Re: European Parliament passes net neutrality law

#40

Post by timthorn »

mercurial wrote: post #23

> mobile carrier industry body the GSMA said it “recognises the efforts of Rapporteur Pilar del Castillo to develop a constructive response to the Commission’s Connected Continent proposals but believes that the overall package fails to address the key challenge of stimulating growth and investment.” I'll take that as a ringing endorsement and a strong sign that the net neutrality law is good for consumers. Good job…

I think that's more a response to the ban on intraEU roaming charges than net neutrality...
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