Net neutrality consultations that tap into networked publics rest on a thin version of participation that maintains existing inequality.
News and Research articles on US Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Zero rating has emerged as one of the most contentious communications policy debates of the last decade. The offer of ‘free’ access to select applications compromises network neutrality, at the same time as it can present advantages to users with limited economic resources. How can we attempt to reconcile these conflicting dimensions of zero rating?
The history of the internet design process as depicted in the internet RFCs provides evidence of the value of social capital, interpersonal relationships, and community in the face of instability. Drawing conceptual distinctions is a necessary first step for many of the other coping techniques.
Contrary to expectations of a “net empowerment”, net neutrality debates on Twitter show that established political and media actors still play important roles.
The French parliament has just decided to set up a Commission du numérique (Committee on digital affairs). This could change the course of European internet policy.
At the end of the week the EU Telecom Council will address net neutrality and the Connected Continent Regulation. Member states are disagreeing over net neutrality and the opponents of stricter protection might point now to the recent FCC vote favouring specialised services alongside standard internet access.