EC to investigate ISPs' traffic management practices

Tough curbs on traffic management may be on the horizon

The European Commission will investigate the way in which ISPs manage their internet traffic after EU telecoms rules on transparency and quality of service come into force on 25 May.

Vice president of the European Commission for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, is expected to announce details of the probe tomorrow, which aim to preserve the principles of net neutrality.

Traffic management is used by ISPs to avoid congestion on their networks, but the EU is concerned that this is also being done to affect the quality of content provided by competitors.

For instance, voice over IP services are blocked by some mobile operators to ensure that their revenues are not impacted.

The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) will oversee the inquiry and publish results before the end of 2011.

Kroes is expected to say that if she is not satisfied that traffic is being treated fairly once the details of traffic blocking and throttling are published, more stringent measures will be taken.

They will come as guidance, legislative measures, or even prohibition of blocking altogether.

From 25 May, as part of new EU telecoms rules, ISPs have to disclose any restrictions placed on access to services or applications.