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Dutch Minister of Economics Affairs Agrees on Net Neutrality Bill

1 pointsby JCB_Kalmost 14 years ago

1 comment

JCB_Kalmost 14 years ago
Quick human translation:<p>A ban on a tax on services like Skype or Whatsapp will be included in law. During a parliamentary debate this afternoon it came clear that minister of Economic Affairs Verhagen agrees on a proposal by D66 [political party] to lay this down in law.<p>Free and open internet is "very important" for society, according to Verhagen. "I think everybody should get access to all information online."<p>This makes the Netherlands the first country in Europe, and the second in the world to lay down net neutrality in law. Only Chili did this before.<p>Verhagen earlier already said that he thinks a tax on services like Skype or Whatsapp is a step too far. Reason for this was an announcement by mobile services providers like KPN and Vodafone to tax certain services, as calling and texting is in decline.<p>Verhagen thinks it's "undesirable" that providers would stop services because they compete with their own. "This is not good for innovation".<p>A majority in the parliament agreed as well.