[Netreach-L] FW: Proposed EU internet proposals

[Sabine K McNeill]

From: Barbara Panvel [mailto:bapanvel at gmail.com] 
Sent: 01 May 2009 14:36
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: Fw: Proposed EU internet proposals

 

Was forced - by a request from friend of friend - to dig further.

 

 

----- Original Message ----- 

 

To: Barbara Panvel <mailto:bapanvel at gmail.com>  

 

Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 1:49 PM

Subject: Re: Proposed EU internet proposals 

 

Thanks, Barbara. This helps a good deal. It's much better than Jonny
Munkhammar's article in The Guardian, which is interesting but,
unfortunately, I can't get over the fact that he's the research director for
the European Enterprise Institute, a right-wing organisation
(http://www.european-enterprise.org/)  that is still in love with Margaret
Thatcher's free enterprise and free market policies, most of which I think
would run counter to those of SIMPOL.

 

Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

Bob

 

 

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Barbara Panvel <mailto:bapanvel at gmail.com>  

To:  <mailto:> "Undisclosed-Recipient:;"@orange.fr 

Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 2:25 PM

Subject: Proposed EU internet proposals 

 

 I have been asked for the text of the proposal. See the link below.

 

To read all the clauses would take a great deal of time and patience.

 

 
<http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/briefing_page/54105-124-05-19-200
90421BRI54104-04-05-2009-2009/default_en.htm>
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/briefing_page/54105-124-05-19-2009
0421BRI54104-04-05-2009-2009/default_en.htm

 

 <http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/file.jsp?id=5563982>
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/file.jsp?id=5563982

 

Telecom markets: Internet access the key issue
The agreement reached on the three telecoms reports covers the regulatory
framework, including radio spectrum measures, users'  rights, data privacy
and the creation of a body to step up co-operation between national
regulators to tackle telecoms regulation. The package aims to boost
competition and consumer rights and should encourage investment in next
generation fibre and wireless networks.


Amendment 46 (previously 138)


In April 2009, civil organisations drew attention to the potential dropping
of Amendment 46 to the EU Telecoms Package, which was first approved as
Amendment 138 by the European Parliament in the first reading on 24
September 2008.

 

After the French representatives had been demanding the withdrawal of
Amendment 138, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) took a
vote on the by then renumbered Amendment 46 on 21 April 2009, on the basis
of an offered compromise by the committee's chairwoman Catherine Trautmann
which would soften the intended ban to a mere Recital which only constitutes
a recommendation for the implementation into national law.


Internet screening


The proposition also makes it possible for Internet service providers (ISP)
to decide which web pages users are allowed to visit, potentially limiting
access to websites critical of the ISP or the government. ISPs would then
sell internet packages, similar to TV packages, allowing access to a limited
number of websites. Critics claim this will limit freedom of speech on the
Internet.

 

Similar legislation is further advanced in America, process initiated in
2006.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/5063072.stm

 


A Guide to Net Neutrality for Google Users 

"Net neutrality" is an issue that will shape the future of the Internet.
Google has created this guide to net neutrality, which includes a brief
overview of the subject, an update on where things stand in the U.S. policy
debate, a set of actions you can take to protect the Internet, and the text
of an open letter from our CEO, Eric Schmidt.

What is Net Neutrality?

Network neutrality is the principle that Internet users should be in control
of what content they view and what applications they use on the Internet.
The Internet has operated according to this neutrality principle since its
earliest days. Indeed, it is this neutrality that has allowed many
companies, including Google, to launch, grow, and innovate. Fundamentally,
net neutrality is about equal access to the Internet. In our view, the
broadband carriers should not be permitted to use their market power to
discriminate against competing applications or content. Just as telephone
companies are not permitted to tell consumers who they can call or what they
can say, broadband carriers should not be allowed to use their market power
to control activity online. Today, the neutrality of the Internet is at
stake as the broadband carriers want Congress's permission to determine what
content gets to you first and fastest. Put simply, this would fundamentally
alter the openness of the Internet. 

What is the Current Status of Net Neutrality?

Net neutrality is a major issue as the U.S. considers new telecommunications
laws. The U.S. House of Representatives passed its telecommunications bill,
H.R. 5252, in May 2006, without adequate net neutrality protections. Now the
fight has moved to U.S. Senate. On June 28, the Senate Commerce Committee
passed its own telecom bill, S. 2686. While an amendment to the bill that
would have added meaningful net neutrality safeguards failed 11-11, this tie
vote marks a significant political victory and gives the effort new
momentum. The debate now shifts to the full Senate, where advocates will be
working to get strong net neutrality language is any bill that the Senate
considers. 

 

 

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