EU vote on the future of the internet

[DaveW_42]

I don't normally pass on things like this but as we all use the internet, it's something I want to see protected. The EU vote is on 5th April.

The EU would like to see measures in place that make internet access more like subscription TV, where you buy certain packages that would allow access to certain sites but not others. If you're an independent seller through a personal website, or use it (as I do) to have an online portfolio, for example, people could be refused access to your site through their ISP if they don't have the right internet package. Thinking about it - do you want to say to your kids, "when I was young, the internet was still free!" There's much more on the websites below.

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Proposals before the EU parliament to limit access to the internet across Europe are to be voted on very soon.

If passed, the new law will permit your broadband provider to impose "conditions limiting access to and/or use of services and applications". Downloading via P2P will almost certainly be forbidden, and blacklists and whitelists are on the agenda, but the proposals also cover copyright enforcement (3-strikes) and risk permitting sinister forms of filtering the networks. They threaten fundamental freedoms for everyone who uses the Internet and anyone who has a website.
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http://www.squaringthenet.org/en/who...tion-in-europe

http://www.blackouteurope.eu/

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=73537262931

Originally Posted by DaveWalker

The EU vote is on 5th April.

Are you sure about that? It's the 20th of April now...

The BlackOutEurope site states the vote is 5th May.

Mind, that site is also lacking in detail, and independant verification of their claims.

I can find no reference to this proposed EU change on the rest of the Internet (other than facebook or BlackOutEurope).

If anyone would like to b**llock Jim Killock for scaremongering, his house number is 129D, postcode NW5 2??, phone number, 0207 5618???. PM me if you want the question marks removing.

Seriously folks, nothing to worry about.

[DaveW_42]

sorry - typo on my part. The blackout Europe website is a bit on the crap side, but on having a bit more of a hunt

I have found this group:
http://www.squaringthenet.org/en
and in particular this bit:
http://www.squaringthenet.org/en/who...tion-in-europe
and
http://www.squaringthenet.org/en/eu-...rned-into-a-tv

not sure it's 'nothing to worry about'

Originally Posted by DaveWalker

and in particular this bit:
http://www.squaringthenet.org/en/who...tion-in-europe

not sure it's 'nothing to worry about' though

The basis for that article is accurate, yes. The EU are changing telecoms laws.

All it really means, is that it gives ISPs the abillity to further manage their network/bandwidth as they see fit.

It was someone scaremongering that has said "this will be used to sell packages & limit access."

It won't. The first ISP to start charging for this sort of service will loose 99% of it's customers, go bust & scare the rest crapless.

[DaveW_42]

surely if something like that passes into EU law, wouldn't every European ISP be obliged to do it?

[DaveW_42]

I suppose it wouldn't actually say 'you must start doing this' though. ISP's will still be able to choose

Just because they're allowed by law to manage their bandwidth, doesn't mean they'd be obliged to do so.

Originally Posted by Dan

Just because they're allowed by law to manage their bandwidth, doesn't mean they'd be obliged to do so.

+1.

Even if they were obliged to manage bandwidth (which they already do by the way - this proposal just enhances their rights - more in a sec), they wouldn't be obliged (or even dare IMO) to do a "Satellite TV package subscription."

I can't even begin to fathom how a "package subscription" would work technically. Would it be limited based on address? Or content? Or time of day? How would all this be communicated clearly (so you don't incur the wrath of OfCom) to the consumer?

The actual changes planned to the EU telecoms laws are simply to enforce what ISPs already do. It's to do with protecting the average throughput, so heavy users can be penalised by speed reductions etc.

Oh, and I love how "SquaringTheNet" references other documents, but they're all still hosted on the same site.

Dave, I'm sorry for being a little harsh earlier, but in the attempt to make up for that, these new laws actually:
- Give new consumer rights, allowing you to change ISPs within 1 day, not the current 30days.
- Allow large scale providers to properly segregate traffic. This is where the scaremongering came from.
- Allow enhanced security (some things like AES256 are illegal outside of the US, this is one of the changes they're trying to push, but the American's don't like the idea).
- Open up more radio signals for wireless broadband usage.
- Give OfCom more rights to better regulate the market.
- Allow for the opportunity of more companies doing the same work as OfCom, meaning they're more likely to operate fairly due to natural competition.

[DaveW_42]

That's why I love the org. Always someone more informed. Dave tips his hat to Baph!

Interesting thread. Learnt something. Cheers to the both of you. Dont worry about being owned here Dave... it even happens to me... sometimes. lol