Net neutrality refers to a set of rules aiming at ensuring equal treatment of the information flow on the internet.
Net neutrality gives you the following rights:
The right to access and distribute information
Example: Your operator may not limit access to a certain website, for instance because you are located in a certain region.
The right to use and provide applications and services
Example: Your provider may not forbid the use of any application.
The right to use terminal equipment of your choice
Example: Your provider may not, for instance, impose the use of an iPhone to access its services.
You have these rights, regardless of your location, your internet service provider’s location, or the origin or destination of the information, content, application or service.
Internet service providers shall treat internet traffic equally and without discrimination, and irrespective of the sender and receiver, the content accessed or distributed, the applications or services used or provided, or the terminal equipment used.
This means that your operator may not, for instance, slow down the traffic for certain applications or websites.
N.B. Your operator may implement reasonable traffic management measures (such as slowing down the traffic), but only if they are necessary for the proper functioning of the network, and if they are transparent and non-discriminatory.
You also have the right to be informed
Indeed, your internet service provider must mention in your contract a series of information related the aforementioned rights and obligations:
- Information on the possible traffic management measures which could be implemented;
- Information concerning the offered volumes and speeds (according to the procedures laid down by BIPT);
- Information concerning the available appeal procedures in case of discrepancy between the performances (speeds or others) of the actually provided service and the service set out in the contract, including the possibility to claim compensation in case of non-observance of the contract;
- Information concerning how to file a complaint.