EU member states are unlikely to support a ban on zero rating, according to a proposal on net neutrality by EU president Latvia, seen by Reuters. Zero rating means operators offer unlimited access to certain online services, such as Facebook, music streaming or online TV, without additional data charges. The EU is discussing whether this should be permitted under proposed net neutrality legislation.
According to the report from Reuters, some EU members see zero rating as good for competition and innovation as well as more choice for consumers. However, some consumer groups, internet activists and member states consider this to be in breach of net neutrality since it makes some services more attractive than others and operators can choose to make their own services zero-rated, thereby distorting competition.
The proposal from Latvia says that an explicit ban on positive price discrimination - such as zero-rating - was unlikely to gain the support of all members. "The issue of positive price discrimination could be left outside the scope of this instrument...this would allow each member state to decide whether to ban price discrimination at national level, or leave the assessment of such practices to general competition law," the document says. Countries such as the Netherlands and Norway already have bans on price discrimination.
Member state representatives will discuss the Latvian proposal 27 January, where they are expected to decide whether to include a ban or not, diplomats said.
