Brussels -- Today the European Parliament voted on protections to the open Internet as part of a legislative package on telecommunications. This is the first phase in the process of adopting this legislation, as agreement must now be sought with Council.
An open Internet requires that Internet service providers should treat equivalent types of Internet data equally, whatever their source, content or destination. The Telecoms Single Market proposal aims to enshrine the conditions for an open Internet in EU law, whilst allowing the provision by Internet Service Providers of special bandwidth-hungry services running alongside the open Internet.

The following can be attributed to Computer & Communications Industry Association Vice President James Waterworth, who runs CCIA’s Brussels office:

"It is positive that the European Parliament has voted on the open Internet. Robust rules are vital to the entire European economy ensuring that businesses and consumers can use the applications and services of their choice. An open Internet will also provide the European economy with a comparative advantage against our global competitors."

"We look forward to working with the Council to ensure robust protections for the open Internet feature in its text."

About CCIA:

CCIA is an international, nonprofit association representing a broad cross section of computer, communications and Internet industry firms. CCIA remains dedicated, as it has for over 40 years, to promoting innovation and preserving full, fair and open competition throughout our industry. Our members employ more than 600,000 people and generate annual revenues in excess of $200 billion. For more, please go to: www.ccianet.org