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Differences between the European Union and United States

A contrasting set of circumstances exists in the European Union, compared to the 

United States. Specifically, the net neutrality debate was triggered in the United 

States by the deregulation of wholesale access services, including access to the 

internet. In the EU there are obligations to offer unbundled local loops and bit‑

stream access and these continue to be seen as key tools in addressing competi‑

tion problems.

As part of its proposals to amend the existing EU regulatory framework, the Eu‑

ropean Commission has proposed a range of measures to ensure that consumers 

have access to lawful content including proposals to ensure that consumers are 

made aware of changes to the terms of service offered by their communications 

provider and the ability to switch contracts with penalty. In addition, the Commission 

proposed to empower national regulators with the ability to impose minimum quality 

of service obligations on communications providers subject to a set of standards 

agreed at European level.

Source: from The International Communications Market 2007. Report published December 2007, www.ofcom.

org.uk/research/cm/icmr07/overview/landscape, Ofcom copyright 2006–11.