The Dutch government plans to introduce an amendment to the Telecommunications Act over net neutrality. Network providers will not be able to impede or block services, with some exceptions, and separate pricing based on the type of service will be prohibited. The government has accepted the proposal of opposition parties D66 (Independent Party), PvdA (Labour Party), GroenLinks (Green Party) and the SP (Socialist Party), with just a few modifications. There will be transitional period of one year, and the ministry for economic affairs will be able to address related issues with additional regulation. Network management will be possible, the government said, adding that the proposition will likely go to a vote in parliament on 14 June.
The explanatory memorandum states that necessary network management can be applied in order to ensure the smooth transmission of data. To combat traffic congestion, operators will be able to proportionately slow a heavy-use subscription in order for broadband speeds to remain the same for less heavy subscriptions.
Consumers can install parental control software, or take a managed service from a provider. Filtering the internet for religious groups or for schools will be allowed, as long as a neutral version is presented, with no difference in price. A system as offered by ISP Kliksafe would not qualify here as it only filters the internet and so is not neutral. This was important for the Dutch Reformed Protestant Party (SGP).
Minister of economic affairs Maxime Verhagen said he would have liked more time to talk about the amendments with the European Commission. He said that the plans from some operators forced his hand. "Undesirable business models are coming to the fore, with the Skype-tax as the best example,” Verhagen said, referring to mobile operators charging extra for access to VoIP services.
Gerda Verburg of the Christian Democrat party said she will give support if the minister comes out with a letter explaining why he has agreed with certain amendments. The MP tabled a motion, asking for a delay until the EC can be more involved, while leaving tariffs unchanged for now.
