Over the past 18 months, the debate around the free and open Internet has taken hold in countries around the world, and we’ve been encouraged to see governments take steps to secure net neutrality. A key component of these movements has been strong public support from users upholding the internet as a global public resource. From the U.S. to India, public opinion has helped to positively influence internet regulators and shape internet policy.
Now, it’s time for internet users in the EU to speak out and stand up for net neutrality.
The Body of European Regulators of Electronic Communications (BEREC) is currently finalising implementation guidelines for the net neutrality legislation passed by EU Parliament last year. This is an important moment — how the legislation is interpreted will have a major impact on the health of the internet in the EU. A clear, strong interpretation can uphold the internet as a free and open platform. But a different interpretation can grant big telecom companies considerable influence and the ability to implement fast lanes, slow lanes, and zero-rating. It would make the internet more closed and more exclusive.
At Mozilla, we believe the internet is at its best as a free, open, and decentralised platform. This is the kind of internet that enables creativity and collaboration; that grants everyone equal opportunity; and that benefits competition and innovation online.
Everyday internet users in the EU have the opportunity to stand up for this type of internet. From now through July 18, BEREC is accepting public comments on the draft guidelines. It’s a small window — and BEREC is simultaneously experiencing pressure from telecom companies and other net neutrality foes to undermine the guidelines. That’s why it’s so important to sound off. When more and more citizens stand up for net neutrality, we’re empowering BEREC to stand their ground and interpret net neutrality legislation in a positive way.
Mozilla is proud to support savetheinternet.eu, an initiative by several NGOs — like European Digital Rights (EDRi) and Access Now — to uphold strong net neutrality in the EU. savetheinternet.eu makes it simple to submit a public comment to BEREC and stand up for an open internet in the EU. BEREC’s draft guidelines already address many of the ambiguities in the Regulation; your input and support can bring needed clarity and strength to the rules. We hope you’ll join us: visit savetheinternet.eu and write BEREC before the July 18 deadline.