Network Neutrality: Anticompetitive Issues in Internet Legislation

Abstrakti

This article seeks to illustrate current policies over the so-called network neutrality in the United States and in the European Union.

In short, network neutrality, which lacks any exact definition and is under constantdebate, consists of principles that allow public information networks to treat all content, sites and platforms equally. In practice, hindrance or exclusion of certain types of lawful Internet traffic or content by the Internet service providers would be contrary to these principles. Due to the US-centric nature of the Internet, the US stance over network neutrality will also affect the Internet policies of the European Union as well. Thus, the aim of this article is to stimulate academic discussion about network neutrality in Finland.

The focus of this descriptive article is on exemplifying network neutrality’s impact on technological development, the evolution of business models in the Internet space, and especially, potential antitrust issues. Finally, this article asks how network neutrality will be legislated in the future and whether it will survive as a network design principle.