The results of the first session of the Working Group on implementing the principles of network neutrality

On 20 April 2015, FAS Working Group on implementing the principles of network neutrality in the Russian Federation had their first meeting.

WG outlined the areas of its work, discussed proposals on including the most important questions in the agenda of the Working Group.

At the next meeting in the first part of June, the Working Group will analyze international experience of introducing the network neutrality principles, including documentation of the International Telecommunications Union on the issue.

The WG will also discuss a definition and unambiguous interpretation of terminology and the main aspects of traffic control policy.

To execute the Action Plan for “Developing Competition in Telecommunications”, FAS drafted a “Report on Expediency of Implementing the Principles of Network Neutrality in the Telecommunications Networks” and forwarded to the Government of the Russian Federation.

The Report proposes to formalize the provisions, determining the policy of the Russian Federation in the field of network neutrality, in regulatory acts: in the Federal Law “On Communications”, the Rules for connecting communications networks, the Rules for providing communications services.

On 12 November 2014, there was a public hearing on regulatory acts that formalize the principles of network neutrality. On 27 January 2015, as part of a public hearing FAS had a meeting with representatives of the communications industry and informational-communications community.

Participants concluded that the Report drafted by FAS must form the basis for regulating relations between operators and consumers, including content providers associated with observing the principles of network neutrality.

Since no facts of breaching the network neutrality principles have been revealed so far, WG concluded that compliance with the general norms of the antimonopoly law supports the main principles of network neutrality.

As a result of the meeting it was decided to organize FAS Working Group on implementing the principles of network neutrality in the Russian Federation involving representatives of the regulator and market participants.