BSG publishes details of voluntary process underpinning Open Internet code

In July 2012 the BSG published, on behalf of signatory ISPs, the Open Internet code of practice. That code set out a commitment by signatory ISPs not to deploy traffic management in a manner that targets and degrades the content or application(s) of specific providers.

The code also committed to setting up a voluntary process in support of that commitment and the code of practice has been updated to contain details of that process.

Annex 1 of that document sets out the full detail but in essence this process will:

• Allow providers of internet-based content, applications or services to raise issues of alleged negative discrimination by an ISP; defined as an instance whereby an ISP targets and degrades the content or application of a specific provider with a name contact from the relevant ISP
• Should the issue not be resolved through this bilateral contact, the provider can log this issue with the BSG at [email protected]
• The BSG will not make a judgment of the validity of this claim but will share logged issues with DCMS and Ofcom on a regular basis to inform any further analysis, action or investigation they may wish to pursue
• These updates will be made public by the BSG on its website as they are published

The purpose of this process is to:

• Provide a useful mechanism for various industry players to constructively engage on specific issues and concerns should they emerge
• Provide a useful evidence base on actual market developments that will help inform Ofcom’s evaluation of the nature and impact of traffic management practices and the co-existence of managed services alongside best efforts internet access services
• Build on the useful cross-industry discussions that informed the development of the open internet code to support useful and productive future dialogue on open internet issues

For full overview of BSG’s work on the Open Internet and Traffic Management, click here.