Topic: Net Neutrality
Country: Uruguay
Delegate Name: Alexis Jones
School: Vicksburg High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Uruguay position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
Over the course of the past decade, the call for internet regulations and control has become more demanding and necessary, not only to regulate content, but to protect consumers from discrimination. People rely on the internet to get the majority of their information on essentially anything and everything. But with certain internet providers, many people are denied the broadband access. It is the United Nations obligation to make sure that every person under the same service provider has the same equitable access to internet. Yet, there is always the issue with money, establishing the divided line between developed and undeveloped countries, that raises issues pertaining the quality, availability, and affordability of internet. Also there is the undeniable fact that each country has their own cultural identity and to respect that, a potential resolution to the issue must be flexible to respect each country’s individual governance.
Uruguay, compared to other South American countries, is relatively more developed in telecommunications, and although the system is government-owned, there has been conflict in partially privatizing the network. Uruguay is involved in many organizations regarding net neutrality, one being the Frente Amplio (The Broad Front). Frente Amplio is a South American organization that identifies equitable access to internet, stating that “the pluralism and diversity of the media system is an indicator of development given its high impact on the strength of the democratic system and promotion of an informed public.” Although supporting this statement, it raises tension in the Uruguayan communication system, because of the situation that they are under. Many large businesses in Uruguay own networks in commercial television and internet and have taken over the Uruguayan news agenda and communications . Uruguay is looking for a resolution to address this issue, along with the other issues in Uruguayan communication networks regarding cost, addressing security concerns among stakeholders, along with the lack of jurisdiction and risk of balkanization, and maintaining a sustainable public-private sector to ensure continued growth in internet, not only for the Uruguayan network community, but for other countries as well.
