Yesterday, the debate of the Dutch House of Representatives took place in the Netherlands. The MP’s and Ministers debated on net neutrality and whether it should be included in the Dutch Telecommunications Act. In particular, the debate regarded the question whether or not telecom providers are allowed to block or price websites, (free) internet services or applications such as Skype and WhatsApp. 

As mentioned earlier, the opposition parties and the Dutch party PVV advocates the inclusion of net neutrality in the law, and the other liberal party VVD was against the codification. The VVD withdrew its alternative amendment (in which providers were given more freedom to price the free services) after noticing there was little support. 

Yesterday the Dutch Minster of Economic Affairs, Verhagen, agreed with the proposal to enshrine net neutrality in the Dutch Telecommunications Act. 

"I embrace the amendment," Verhagen said.

VVD and CDA want to wait for European research. Verhagen does not, but if the European Commission will come with further guidelines, he will look into this. ''And if that is reason to modify the rules, we will come together again'', Verhagen says.

The Dutch Telecom Provider KPN says to regret that the Parliament has not given some more time to consider this legislation. "In that case (when given more time) the exact scope thereof and the international context could be taken into account. From a European point of view, Europe is still thinking about how to deal with the developments of mobile internet services and the legislation thereof in this area. "

Tuesday the ultimate vote will take place. If a majority of the Dutch parties will vote for legislation of net neutrality, the Netherlands will be the first country in Europe and the second in the world that anchors net neutrality in the law. Only Chile defined net neutrality in the law before the Netherlands.

Reference: Webwereld.nl