UK, France reaffirm commitment to net neutrality

In what is seen as a jab at the US, two European countries have reaffirmed their commitment to the principle of net neutrality.

Under a wide-ranging agreement to strengthen links in the tech sector, the UK and France said today: ''[Our] industrial strategies highlight the role that digital technology will play in the economy of the future. In this context, we wish to restate our commitment and support for the principle of net neutrality, which promotes a free and open internet.''

According to a statement from the UK culture ministry, the countries said they would  ''make sure users can access websites without internet service providers favoring or blocking particular sites.''

According to commentators, this comes as a restatement of the obvious as a resolution came into effect across the EU in 2016 that mandates net neutrality across the bloc. They say, unlike the imperiled US net-neutrality rule that was introduced under the Obama administration, the EU's law will not go anywhere for a long time.

They add that statement seems to be a jab at the US as also a message to European tech firms that they are on safer ground in France and the UK. It is also of great significance of the UK as the UK is preparing to leave the EU.

Meanwhile, the FCC today came out with a fact sheet on the draft Broadband Progress Report and a statement by chairman Ajit Pai, but not the actual draft report.

According to the FCC under chairman Ajit Pai, mobile broadband cannot be a full substitute for home internet services. The FCC said this after earlier suggesting that mobile internet might be needed by all US citizens. The FCC also will not lower the speed standard that it uses to judge whether the pace of broadband implementation is satisfactory.