Article | Public Policy | Telefónica: "we believe that we share a common aim, protecting our customer’s fundamental rights and avoid blocking of Internet services, but disagree on the appropriate way to achieve that.
As we said in our post already, a decision to block a whole Internet service for all users is obviously not a good decision for anyone, including telecom companies.
Blocking of WhatsApp or any other legal Internet-based service does certainly have a toll on telecom operators: from reputational hits and unsatisfied customers to lost revenues and additional operational costs. That is precisely the reason why we felt the need to write the post: we believe that this blocking of WhatsApp in Brazil is a serious issue. So far we seem to agree.
Where we have different views is how we can avoid that something similar happens again, which is what we actually care about.
Our view here is clear and firm and based on our business principles: we will defend our customer’s fundamental rights, but we will do so in compliance with the processes and laws of the countries where we operate.
We can and will not – as you seem to suggest – just ignore judicial orders of independent judges in democratic societies." 'via Blog this'
Thursday, January 28, 2016
South Asian perspectives on net neutrality: ORF
South Asian perspectives on net neutrality | ORF - Ideas. Forums. Leadership. Impact: "This Special Report examines key themes highlighted during a series of panel discussions exploring South Asian Perspectives on Net Neutrality, hosted by the Observer Research Foundation and the Centre for Internet and Society in New Delhi on 12 December, 2015.
The first panel analysed the potential effects of net neutrality regulation and zero-rated platforms on the market. The second explored viable regulatory frameworks for net neutrality that could be adapted to South Asian markets.
The key findings emphasised the need for evidence-based empirical research" 'via Blog this'
The first panel analysed the potential effects of net neutrality regulation and zero-rated platforms on the market. The second explored viable regulatory frameworks for net neutrality that could be adapted to South Asian markets.
The key findings emphasised the need for evidence-based empirical research" 'via Blog this'
Trai promises final call on differential pricing by month-end after 'lively' open house
Trai promises final call on differential pricing by month-end after 'lively' open house - timesofindia-economictimes: "He, however, refused to link this consultation paper to the broader topic of net neutrality . "Net neutrality is a different subject. First we will decide differential pricing, then we will look at other issues. I cannot say at this time what Trai will do on the larger issue of net neutrality , but we will certainly take a call," Sharma said.
The open house saw a near packed house, with representatives from Trai, several telecom companies, civil society organisations, industry bodies, and individuals, but the debate did not turn out to be as explosive as the acrimonious lead-up to it.
Facebook India's policy head Ankhi Das, whose presence was hugely anticipated after a recent round of high octave communication between Trai and Facebook was made public, did not turn up.
A representative of Facebook, whose zero-rated programme called Free Basics has been at the cent re of the controversy surrounding the differential pricing paper, said: "As a company we have commented. With Free Basics we hope to bring people online in a non-discriminatory manner... We hope Trai will encourage Free Basics.""
'via Blog this'
The open house saw a near packed house, with representatives from Trai, several telecom companies, civil society organisations, industry bodies, and individuals, but the debate did not turn out to be as explosive as the acrimonious lead-up to it.
Facebook India's policy head Ankhi Das, whose presence was hugely anticipated after a recent round of high octave communication between Trai and Facebook was made public, did not turn up.
A representative of Facebook, whose zero-rated programme called Free Basics has been at the cent re of the controversy surrounding the differential pricing paper, said: "As a company we have commented. With Free Basics we hope to bring people online in a non-discriminatory manner... We hope Trai will encourage Free Basics.""
'via Blog this'
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
An Emerging Competition Law for a New Economy? Kevin Coates
An Emerging Competition Law for a New Economy? Introductory Remarks for the Chillin Competition Panel | 21st Century Competition:
"To bring in my own horse metaphor, that’s like saying no-one should have been concerned about a price fixing agreement in the guild of blacksmiths, because at some point Dunlop would invent the car tyre. And again who is to say that for customers that continue to need blacksmiths services – people still use horses today – that a blacksmith’s cartel would not still be of concern? The market would be smaller, but the potential for exploitation as against any individual customer may still be as great.
So overall I do not see evidence of intervention that is too early; or evidence that new economy dominance is transient counselling an excess of caution even when market power exists.
So if the principles remain the same and timing is not too much of a concern, what is difficult about new economy cases?
Because you need new knowledge, and you need to challenge old assumptions." 'via Blog this'
"To bring in my own horse metaphor, that’s like saying no-one should have been concerned about a price fixing agreement in the guild of blacksmiths, because at some point Dunlop would invent the car tyre. And again who is to say that for customers that continue to need blacksmiths services – people still use horses today – that a blacksmith’s cartel would not still be of concern? The market would be smaller, but the potential for exploitation as against any individual customer may still be as great.
So overall I do not see evidence of intervention that is too early; or evidence that new economy dominance is transient counselling an excess of caution even when market power exists.
So if the principles remain the same and timing is not too much of a concern, what is difficult about new economy cases?
Because you need new knowledge, and you need to challenge old assumptions." 'via Blog this'
Tuesday, January 05, 2016
Thanks for following - 2016 plan
I saw the counter tick over 350,000 over New Year - so thanks to all the bots, people, and random trackers! I am finishing the new net neutrality book this week, so will post more from end-January when I have recovered...Meantime, here's an analysis of which browser you have been using since 2009:
Saturday, January 02, 2016
#32c3 – Net Neutrality in Europe: alea iacta est
#32c3 – Net Neutrality in Europe: alea iacta est: Slides 68-70 shows how vital June 2016 may be for the BEREC guidelines 'via Blog this'
It’s a battle for internet freedom - India
It’s a battle for internet freedom - TOI Blogs: "Research done by Amba Kak at the Oxford Internet Institute has found that less experienced, low income groups prefer access to an open and unrestricted Internet, and while “some access is better than none”, the trade-off they are willing to make is how much they use the internet, not necessarily how much of the internet they get to use. That is, they would rather be given the choice of deciding what they want to access, with millions of websites and apps to choose from, for say, three days, over being given unlimited access to a limited selection." 'via Blog this'
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