Dutch fine KPN and Voda for ‘neutrality violations’
January 27, 2015
Dutch regulator ACM has fined KPN and Vodafone €250,000 and €200,000 respectively for violations of net neutrality. KPN was fined for blocking certain services on its free Wi-Fi hotspots. Vodafone offered access to an app with HBO with certain plans without charging for the related data traffic. The law does not allow operators to determine which services customers can use over the internet, the ACM said.
KPN said it accepts the fine. The net neutrality rules were added to the Telecommunications Law in 2013, and KPN implemented the services after that. The operator noted that it did offer a premium version of the Wi-Fi service under which all services were permitted. Vodafone has not commented.
Under the Dutch law, internet providers may not block certain services or applications, nor charge different rates for accessing particular services or apps over the Internet.