Topic: Net Neutrality
Country: Iceland
Delegate Name: Peter Cullen
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Iceland position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
Recently, the internet has been labeled as a utility by the more and more countries. Known as the right to Broadband, it is already established in the European Union, the United States, most EFTA nations, and Costa Rica. The Internet, a network of networks created towards the end of the 1980’s, is designed to link electronic devices worldwide, and is the conglomerate of information of mankind, and a tool which can be utilized to connect individuals from opposite ends of the globe. Recently, however, broadband companies and governments have seeked to regulate the internet by putting certain content behind paywalls or simply cutting parts of the internet for their citizens. Currently, according to Reporters without Borders, the Internet is under pervasive regulation in at least 19 different countries. Limitation of the Internet is the same as limitation of the connectivity and progression of mankind. The internet provides means of communication for developing countries is essential, too. The Internet provides a means for Iceland’s stance on net neutrality is that of almost complete freedom.
The Internet has provided such creative freedoms and entrepreneurial successes because people and people only decide which websites gain traffic. Upon the emphasis of certain websites over others, the populace loses some of the control they had in the progression of information. The UN Special Rapporteur recognized the right to development on the Internet for good reason. Halting development causes stagnation in progression of knowledge and connectivity; however, when treating Internet as a utility, it’s tempting to allow some basic services for free, such as Facebook and Wikipedia; however, Iceland recognizes that this form of basic Internet is a form of Internet prioritization, as India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority stated that “No service provider shall enter into any arrangement, agreement or contract, by whatever name called, with any person, natural or legal, that has the effect of discriminatory tariffs for data services being offered or charged to the consumer on the basis of content.” Iceland is under perfect agreement with this statement, as it could lead to a lack of opportunity for the citizens. Censorship is prohibited by our constitution, as openness between a government and its people is what leads to a good relationship between the citizens and those in control. Our government is meant to be run by the people, thus censorship goes against the core of our nation.
In general, net neutrality policies will result in positive outcomes for both developing countries and stable nations. Once again, while Internet prioritization may be tempting in the short run to make some Internet available for everyone, in the long run that would cause stagnation in net development, and cause monopolies in the field of those specific websites. And for Internet providers, tiers of payment depending on quantity of Internet use is also tempting; however that form of regulation is almost just as flawed, as oftentimes it is necessary for net development. According to the Global Information Technology Report (2010-2011), Iceland is ranked 1 out of 138 for accessibility to digital content. We wish for more nations to increase their accessibility on the internet to encourage the opportunities for their citizens.
Only one bill needs to be passed in order to destroy net neutrality for good. Net neutrality must come out ahead every single time for it to continue. This is why it is essential that regulations be encouraged on an international level soon, otherwise freedom of decision, development and populace chosen emphasis will disappear for good. Iceland implores that the Internet stays in the hands of the people, and out of the hands of governments and corporations. Broadband leveled pricing is harmful for consumers, and access to only some parts of the Internet must also be overturned to prevent prioritization of information. We also hope that nations currently censoring the Internet would stop such actions as it leads to a relationship of authoritative oppression between the people and their government.
