Topic: Net Neutrality
Country: Belgium
Delegate Name: John Vander Vliet
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Belgium position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
In 2003, Colombia professor Tim Wu first introduced the world to the term “Net Neutrality”. The Internet itself had been present for the last few preceding decades, but the issue of the use of one’s web traffic, or data, and one's privacy has recently come into light thanks in part to Internet service providers. Those for net neutrality argue of the idea of equality, everyone should be treated as equal when it comes to data consumption as well as Internet freedom. Those against it argue that paying for Internet should not be equal, those who consume more data should pay more, and vice versa. As well, they argue that it would give the government more power over the Internet, through the NSA. If Net Neutrality were to become a reality, the government would have to monitor more broadband connections, usually through cable companies. Thanks to Belgium’s role as a developed country, Net Neutrality is for the best as it reflects key components of equality that is found throughout Belgium.
The passage of EU regulation 2015/2020 in November of 2015 is the first step in guaranteeing net neutrality throughout all of the European Union as its purpose states, “to establish common rules to safeguard equal and non-discriminatory treatment of traffic in the provision of internet access services and related end-users’ rights”. Going along with that, EU Regulation 2016/679, or the General Data Protection Regulation aims to strengthen data protection for citizens in the European Union, a Union that Belgium holds membership to, even going back to being a founder. Adopted in May of 2016, the regulation will take effect on May 25, 2018. As Belgium is an established nation in the UN regarding the Internet, with 82% of the population considered users, we see it fit to be a leading fighter in the cause for ensuring net neutrality to ensure that one will gain an advantage in Internet access by monetary means, but rather enforce the idea of equality.
Belgium advises that the UN will work more to improve and broaden the aspects of net neutrality. Something of primary importance is holding countries and corporations that deal with Internet access and consumption accountable, in order to set a firm guide on what Net Neutrality consists of and is about. Belgium recommends those that those who stray intentionally from the guidelines set out be held responsible and face repercussions, whether that be through fines or loss of Internet privileges. Although the Internet is old, the issue of data collection and equality is something that needs to be newly considered by all, and Belgium encourages that the debate on Net Neutrality is not simply for or against, but whether what rules should be put in place when Net Neutrality becomes a right for all citizens.
