[kictanet] Net Neutrality around the world

[Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu]

Mwendwa, thank you for sharing. I'm drawn by the fact that the Council of
Europe makes reference to not restricting by blocking, slowing down or
discriminating internet traffic.

When one party is able to offer a free service it may be considered an
unfair advantage but these parties are not essentially blocking or slowing
down internet traffic. They provide a choice where there is none other.

These parties offering some free services however may be accused of
discrimination or even more harshly as I have seen in this debate,
neo-colonialism. The C.S's statement earlier leans towards the promotion of
these services however the bread analogy is overly simplistic and may fail
to address pertinent issues raised by opponents to Free Basics.

I support the fact that a lot of informed decision making needs to be made
especially from a 360 point of view that appreciates all the various
impacts this may have here in Kenya and Africa at large.

It is undisputed that one who wields the power to offer something for free
wields immense power to gain an unfair advantage over others who may not be
able to play in the same league.

Regards,

Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu
Twitter: @TechWakili
Tel: +254 718181644/771632344
On 13 Feb 2016 1:37 pm, "Mwendwa Kivuva via kictanet" <
kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

> Council of Europe adopted a recommendation on the protection and
> promotion of freedom of expression
> and the right to a private life with regard to net neutrality. Users’
> rights should not be restricted by means
> of blocking, slowing down, or discriminating Internet traffic.
>
> https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?Ref=CM/Rec(2016)1&Language=lanEnglish&Ver=original&BackColorInternet=C3C3C3&BackColorIntranet=EDB021&BackColorLogged=F5D383
>
> As Free Basics was banned from India and Egypt. World Development
> Report by the World Bank raised concerns on the protection
> of net neutrality principles.
>
> http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2016/01/13/090224b08405ea05/2_0/Rendered/PDF/World0developm0000digital0dividends.pdf
>
> --
> ______________________
> Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya
> twitter.com/lordmwesh
>
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