Publisher:
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Institut für Verkehrswissenschaft und Regionalpolitik, Freiburg i. Br.
Abstract:
A common denominator of network neutrality definitions is a plea against traffic shaping within the Internet and the resultant challenge to the traditional best effort transmission. By means of access regulation of local loop bottleneck components the transfer of market power from the telecommunications network bottleneck components into the complementary Internet access service markets can be avoided. Regulation between access service providers and Internet appli-cation service providers is not justified. The avoidance of network neutrality regulation is of importance, because only then can the adequate market signals (congestion tariffs, quality differentiations etc.) be supplied to the content pro-vider, leading to a more efficient exploitation of the Internet traffic resources.