[P2P-F] Fwd: [opennetcoalition] Does Commissioner Oettinger Want to Discard Net Neutrality?

Wed Nov 19 23:41:34 CET 2014

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: La Quadrature du Net <contact at laquadrature.net>
Date: Wed, Nov 19, 2014 at 4:45 PM
Subject: [opennetcoalition] Does Commissioner Oettinger Want to Discard Net
Neutrality?
To: opennetcoalition at laquadrature.net

Themes: NET NEUTRALITY, OETTINGER, ANSIP, TELCOS, EUROPEAN COMMISSION

La Quadrature du Net – For immediate release

Permanent link:
http://www.laquadrature.net/en/does-commissioner-oettinger-want-to-discard-net-neutrality

Does Commissioner Oettinger Want to Discard Net Neutrality?

*** Paris, 18 November 2014 — Günther Oettinger, Digital Commissioner made
his first post on his blog[1] in which he clearly introduces garanteeing
internet access in rural zones as justification to give in to the demands
of the Telcos to consolidate or increase their unwarranted earnings.
Although the author has tried to avoid mentioning Net Neutrality, this blog
post reveals his intended strategy regarding this principle. ***

There are indeed a number of crucial inequalities in the capacity to use
Internet as an autonomous mean of expression, creation, innovation and
construction of social bonds. These inequalities separate those who have
the means to choose the tools and services they use from those who are
limited to the services operators have decided to offer them. If Internet
access spreads and has generalised in Europe, including in rural zones, it
is precisely because we have refrained Telco policies of which Oettinger
rephrases the worst arguments. If he wants to accelerate rural coverage,
Mr. Oettinger should rather open the spectrum to citizen use and stop
reducing publicly-run systems to unprofitable activities.

To implicitely weigh a fast Internet against a neutral internet by stating
that what prevails are hasty (understated, no matter what the conditions)
investments for network access is a fools game. By taking that position,
Mr. Oettinger simply joins the brutal investment blackmail of American
Telcos in reaction to Barack Obama's statement[2] in favor of Net
Neutrality. Their reaction against a position favourable to Net Neutrality
is the expression of their will to dictate the implementation of market
rules favorable to them but oblivious to the respect of loyal and open
competition.

While La Quadrature du Net fights daily for the affirmation of this
principle in order to protect the interest of all those who are acting on
internet – whether big or small companies, individuals or organisation –
Mr. Oettinger has made it clear that, according to him, the concept of
competition has nothing to do with maintaining and defending an open
digital economy. Neutrality and end-user choice are not only the
possibility of changing from one to another operator (that Mr. Oettinger
seems to imply), but the possibility to access all services available on
internet in fair conditions.
It is not surprising that the telco industry would be so short sighted in
terms of competition and consumer free choice and that only recalls the
positions of Neelie Kroes, predecessor of Oettinger, that had repeatedly
taken positions[3] in favor of the mightiest operators. But it most
regrettable for those to be the sole inspirations of Mr. Oettinger's first
public declarations on the subject.

Besides, Mr. Oettinger's position is just as hypocritical and dangerous as
the trap of “platform neutrality” concept that has been sprouting these
last months leading to believe that Net Neutrality can not be defined
without solving the problem of Internet giants monopoly and fiscality.

“The implementation of a two speed internet would alter its very essence as
knowledge sharing space and democratic expression tool. Far from justifying
the crippling of Net Neutrality, the goal of giving to all the means to
fully benefit from the digital era requires on the contrary to push for a
neutral and free Internet” declares Miriam Artino in charge of legal and
political analysis for La Quadrature du Net.

“These strategies to avoid the fundamental right to a free and open
internet do not fool La Quadrature du Net. We will continue to motivate
European citizens to their absolute right to an Internet that respects them
and leaves them the freedom to choose, innovate and inform. That Mr.
Oettinger's first declaration attempts to drown Net Neutrality with side
problematics reveals a poor understanding of the subject and a stance
devoted to the interests of operators. Citizens must help him to remember
the April 2014 vote[4] of the European Members of Parliament” concludes
Adrienne Charmet, Campaign Coordinator for La Quadrature du Net.

* References *

1.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/2014-2019/oettinger/blog/connected-europe-broadband-all-answer_en
2. http://www.whitehouse.gov/net-neutrality
3.
https://www.laquadrature.net/en/net-neutrality-neelie-kroes-yields-to-operator-pressure
4.
https://www.laquadrature.net/en/net-neutrality-a-great-step-forward-for-the-free-internet

** About La Quadrature du Net **

La Quadrature du Net is an advocacy group that defends the rights and
freedoms of citizens on the Internet. More specifically, it advocates for
the adaptation of French and European legislations to respect the founding
principles of the Internet, most notably the free circulation of knowledge.

In addition to its advocacy work, the group also aims to foster a better
understanding of legislative processes among citizens. Through specific and
pertinent information and tools, La Quadrature du Net hopes to encourage
citizens' participation in the public debate on rights and freedoms in the
digital age.

La Quadrature du Net is supported by French, European and international
NGOs including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Open Society
Institute and Privacy International.

List of supporting organisations:
https://www.laquadrature.net/en/they-support-la-quadrature-du-net

** Press contact and press room **

contact at laquadrature.net, +33 (0)972 294 426

https://www.laquadrature.net/en/press-room

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