Europe abandoned the principle of net neutrality

The European Parliament voted to abolish the principle of net neutrality. This means that now providers will be able to provide some services with wider data channels than others.

Supporters of the law argue that this will allow giving faster data transfer rates to those who need it more than others: for example, unmanned vehicles and robots in operating rooms.

Opponents insist that the document is too vague about "special services" that may receive preferences. Therefore, the new rules may allow large technology companies to buy fast channels (and this will lead to unfair competition with smaller companies).

In addition, the new rules allow telecom operators to transmit traffic at different speeds depending on its type: for example, a wider channel is laid for streaming. At the same time, the same document notes that operators should treat any traffic “without discrimination”.

The new law cancels the net neutrality rules that apply in Slovenia and the Netherlands at the level of national legislation.

• The United States has adopted the principle of net neutrality . Operators are not entitled to provide preferences to companies even for a fee. That is, the operator cannot transmit YouTube traffic faster than any messenger.