EE, Virgin and Vodafone Last To Sign Up To Open Internet Code
Open Internet Code prevents ISPs in the UK from throttling traffic to competitor sites
EE, Virgin and Vodafone have signed up to the Open Internet Code, joining the cohort that also includes BT and Sky which effectively “supports the Open Internet”.
The code commits ISPs to the provision of full and open internet access products and confirms that traffic throttling, or ‘management practices’ in their words, will not be used to target and degrade the services of a competitor.
‘UK benefits from a fiercely competitive market’
Matthew Evans, CEO the the Open Internet Code creator Broadband Stakeholder Group, said: “Unlike some countries where net neutrality has become a controversial topic for discussion, the UK benefits from a fiercely competitive market and high levels of transparency – which together offer the best assurance of an Open Internet.
“The Code now provides an even stronger and more effective foundation, whilst also allowing for an environment where new business models for internet-based services which benefit consumer
choice can thrive.”
The full list of signatories of the code is now BT, BSkyB, EE, KCOM, giffgaff, O2, Plusnet, TalkTalk, Tesco Mobile, Three, Virgin Media and Vodafone.
However, the code still allows ISPs to ‘manage traffic’ to sites that are blocked under a court order such as those with pirated material or child abuse images.
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