E.U. Passes Net Neutrality Laws, Rejects Loophole-Closing Amendments

E.U. Passes Net Neutrality Laws, Rejects Loophole-Closing Amendments

STRASBOURG, France — When the European Parliament voted in favor of net neutrality legislation on Tuesday afternoon, they rejected four loophole-killing amendments that would have more strongly prevented tiered Internet services.

The proposed amendments were designed to stop ISPs from creating specialized service "fast lanes" for higher paying customers and forbid mobile operators from making content free via "zero-rating" as part of promotional offers. They would have also prevented ISPs from abusing "congestion management" to prioritize certain classes of traffic or slow down all traffic as a supposed safeguard against "impending" congestion.

The legislation does ban paid prioritization, but gives ISPs wiggle room for HD videoconferencing, IPTV and health care services like telesurgery. This freedom may be abused to favor those that pay ISPs. Zero-rating wasn't outlawed and neither was "impending" congestion management. ISPs are also allowed to treat Internet application types differently from others.

"The Internet’s open structure is what made it the successful driver of growth and innovation in the digital economy and digital culture that it is today," said Julia Reda, Member of the European Parliament for the European Pirate Party. "That providers will be allowed to discriminate against certain traffic not only creates a two-tier Internet, it also removes incentives for carriers to extend their capacities." 

One positive outcome of the legislation is a ban on roaming charges, which will cut fees for the use of mobiles while traveling in the E.U. by mid-2017. The newly passed net neutrality rules will go into effect on April 30, 2016.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Strike 3 Holdings Sues Meta for Pirating Vixen Media Group Content to Train AI

Vixen Media Group owner Strike 3 Holdings filed suit in federal court this week, accusing Facebook parent company Meta of copyright infringement and alleging that Meta has extensively pirated VMG content to train its artificial intelligence models.

Pineapple Support, Streamate to Host 'Navigating Grief and Loss' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Streamate are hosting a free online support group to help performers cope with grief and loss.

Friday is Final AV Compliance Deadline in UK

Friday, July 25 marks U.K. media regulator Ofcom’s deadline for user-to-user services such as tube, cam and fan sites to implement its requisite “highly effective age assurance” measures for preventing minors from viewing adult content.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for May, June

AEBN has released the top search terms for the months of May and June from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Two Texas Bills Restricting Sex Toy Sales Fail to Pass

Two bills aimed at restricting sales of sex toys have failed to pass the Texas state legislature during its 2025 session.

NYC Adult Stores Petition for Rehearing in Zoning Law Case

A group of adult businesses on Tuesday petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit to rehear a case involving a zoning law that could severely limit adult stores’ operations in New York City.

Ofcom Releases Transparency Reporting Guidelines

Ofcom, the U.K. media regulator, has made public its official guidance detailing how online service providers — including adult sites — will be required to publish annual transparency reports on their efforts to protect children from online harms.

New AV Rules Take Effect for Ireland-Based Sites

Ireland’s Online Safety Code came into force Monday, including a provision requiring adult sites headquartered in Ireland to implement age assurance measures beyond self-declaration.

XBIZ Amsterdam Calls on New Startups for 'Spotlight' Program

XBIZ is pleased to announce that its new “Startup Spotlight” programming will make its European premiere at XBIZ Amsterdam 2025, set to take place Sept. 2-5 at the Jakarta Hotel Amsterdam.

Texas Resumes AV Lawsuit Against Aylo Following SCOTUS Decision

A district court judge in Texas has unfrozen the state’s $1.6 million lawsuit against Aylo for allegedly failing to comply with age verification requirements, Bloomberg Law is reporting.

Show More