Ofcom opens debate on net neutrality

Calls for views on internet traffic management

Ofcom seeks views on UK net neutrality

UK communications regulator Ofcom has published a discussion paper called Traffic Management and Net Neutrality in a move aimed at garnering industry and public opinion on whether ISPs need to be clearer about how they prioritise data.

The move comes ahead of the release of an official framework by the regulator, although no indication was given as to the likely timing of this.

The pressure on Ofcom to introduce a more stringent traffic management system for the internet has increased with the growth in smartphones and other mobile devices hosting bandwidth-hungry applications.

Ofcom's chief executive Ed Richards said that consumer transparency would see customers given clear and concise information on any traffic management procedures being applied by ISPs.

He also explained that traffic management procedures could include rationing bandwidth during periods of congestion, or throttling certain types of traffic such as peer-to-peer (P2P) traffic, sometimes associated with illegal content downloads.

Richards argued that getting some clarity around these issues is critical for those operating fixed and mobile networks as well as people seeking to invest in these areas.

He added: “With regard to anti-competitive behaviour, there is currently no regulation preventing one ISP from deprioritising another’s paid-for content service. This needs to be resolved.”

This discussion paper follows an announcement from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of a three-month consultation process looking into how that country's broadband infrastructure should be regulated.

Views on the issues raised by Ofcom's discussion paper can be posted on the regulator's web site, with the link closing on 8 September.