ARCEP submits a document on Internet and network neutrality to public consultation.

Paris, 20 May 2010

The French Postal and electronic communications regulatory authority, ARCEP, is releasing its discussion points and initial policy guidelines on Internet and network neutrality.

This document is the result of a wide-reaching preliminary examination by the Authority that lasted close to seven months, which included a series of some 50 interviews and a survey - the goal being to consult with the different stakeholders that are affected by the issue of Internet and network neutrality (electronic communications operators, providers of content, services and applications, equipment manufacturers, consumer associations, public authorities, etc.), on a national, European and global scale.

As announced by ARCEP Chairman, Jean-Ludovic Silicani, during the International conference hosted by the Authority on 13 April of this year, ARCEP is launching a public consultation today on its initial policy guidelines for Internet and network neutrality. This document can serve as a reference for the work being carried out by the government to prepare for the report on this topic that it is due to submit to Parliament by the end of June.

This document is available online at: www.arcep.fr.

An English translation of the document will be available in early June.

Players are invited to submit their contributions by 5 pm on 2 July 2010.

Following the completion of this consultation, ARCEP will publish a first series of guidelines on Internet and electronic communications network neutrality in July 2010.