ACM to investigate T-Mobile’s new service

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) will launch an investigation into a new service of telecom provider T-Mobile. ACM will assess whether its Music Freedom service complies with Dutch regulations on net neutrality. If the service does not comply with those rules, ACM will take action. The Dutch Senate today passed the bill that grants ACM the power to take enforcement action.

‘Zero-rating’ influences the way consumers use the Internet

With this new service, T-Mobile customers are able to stream music on their mobile devices, which will not count against their data plans. This is called zero-rating. At first glance, listening to music for free sounds very sympathetic.

For the long term, however, it is in the interest of internet users that providers in no way influence the way individuals use the Internet. That has been the basic principle of a broadly supported, democratic decision. That is why this idea has also been reflected in the new law that safeguards net neutrality in the Netherlands.

“No half-measures when it comes to internet access”

ACM makes sure that internet providers do not distinguish between the different types of data they pass on, such as content or apps, over the Internet. Henk Don, Member of the Board of ACM, explains: “There can be no half-measures when it comes to internet access: consumers and businesses are entitled to full access to all available information and services.”

No price discrimination

On April 30, 2016, a new European regulation on net neutrality came into force. European telecom regulators jointly published guidelines in which they adopted a less strict interpretation of this Regulation than the Dutch legislature did. According to these European telecom regulators, certain services can, under strict conditions, be offered for free or at favorable rates. Dutch laws do not allow price discrimination of any kind. More expensive is not allowed, but cheaper or for free is not allowed either.